Illegal Alien from El Salvador Charged with Possession of 70 Machinegun Conversion Devices in Hudson County

NEWARK, N.J. - An illegal alien from El Salvador was charged with possessing machineguns in North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Erick Marquez Cruz, age 21, of North Bergen, New Jersey was charged by criminal complaint with possession of machineguns. Cruz had his initial court appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and was ordered detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On June 25, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cruz's residence in North Bergen, New Jersey. Among other items, law enforcement found inside Cruz's bedroom a 3D printer used to manufacture firearm components and various firearm components, including approximately 17 3D-printed frames, multiple 3D-printed magazines, and approximately 70 machinegun conversion devices (MCDs).

An image of some of the firearm components and MCDs seized from Cruz's residence is depicted below.

MCDs, which themselves are classified as machineguns by statute, are capable of converting semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons that release multiple rounds of ammunition with the single pull of a trigger.

The charge of possession of a machinegun carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant as a result of the offense, or twice the gross loss to a person other than the defendant as a result of the offense, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka, and officers of the North Bergen Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert J. Farley, Jr., with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shriram Harid of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

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Defense counsel: Laura Sayler, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender.