Wilmington Man Indicted After Machinegun and Manifesto are Found

WILMINGTON, Del. - A federal grand jury returned an indictment on April 16, 2026, charging a Wilmington, Delaware man for unlawfully possessing a Glock 19 equipped with a machinegun conversion device.

According to court documents, on Monday, November 24, 2025, at approximately 11:47 p.m., patrol officers of the New Castle County Police Department were conducting a property check in Canby Park West when they observed a white Toyota Tacoma in the parkland, after hours. Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted the driver, and sole occupant, 25-year-old Luqmaan Khan of Wilmington. During the stop, officers developed probable cause to order Khan out of the vehicle, and he refused to comply. Subsequently, Khan resisted arrest and was taken into custody by the officers.

During their investigation, officers discovered in Khan's vehicle a .357 caliber Glock handgun loaded with 27 rounds. The handgun had been inserted into a microplastic conversion firearm brace kit. Within the vehicle, officers also found all the following: (i) three more loaded, 27-round magazines (one in the storage slot of the conversion kit); (ii) a loaded Glock 9mm magazine; (iii) an armored ballistic plate; and (iv) a marble composition notebook.

In the handwritten notebook, Khan discussed additional weapons and firearms, how they could be used in an attack, and how law enforcement detection could be avoided once an attack was carried out. The notebook referenced a member of the University of Delaware's Police Department by name, and included a layout of a building with entry and exit points under which the words "UD Police Station" were printed.

On November 25, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and NCCPD executed a search warrant at Khan's Wilmington residence. Within, law enforcement recovered a Glock 19 9mm handgun equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device, commonly called a "switch." Law enforcement also recovered a .556 rifle with a scope and a red dot sight, eleven more extended magazines, hollow point rounds of ammunition, and a two-plate tactical vest equipped with a single ballistic plate.

The Indictment charges Khan with possession of a machinegun. If convicted, Khan faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment. If Khan is ultimately convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New Castle County Police Department (NCCPD) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Samuel S. Frey are prosecuting the case.

United States Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace stated, "The United States has charged Luqmann Khan with possessing a weapon that could have killed scores of Delawareans in mere seconds. And as we have previously alleged, the evidence indicates that Khan was planning to use that weapon, and potentially others, in an attack on the Delaware community. We thank our law enforcement partners at the FBI and NCCPD for thwarting Khan before he could do real harm, and we look forward to proving our case against Khan in court."

"According to the indictment, Luqmaan Khan illegally armed himself with these dangerous weapons. Machinegun conversion devices pose a real danger to our communities. One pull of the trigger is no longer just one bullet; it could be 15 rounds in one second. The FBI, in collaboration with our dedicated law enforcement partners, is unwavering in our commitment to hold individuals like Mr. Khan accountable. The safety and well-being of Delaware residents remain our highest priority," said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul.

"Thanks to the proactive work of these patrol officers, a dangerous threat to our community was stopped before it could escalate into violence. Their professionalism, vigilance, and commitment to public safety embody the values we expect and the courage our residents depend on every day. We also extend our sincere thanks to our federal partners, whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing this incident to a safe and successful conclusion," said Colonel James J. Leonard III of the New Castle County Police Department.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the District of Delaware or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-71.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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