Kansas Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Machinegun (DOJ)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Overland Park, Ks., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a machinegun.

Verdell D. Mays, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen Bough to nine years in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 4, 2025, Mays pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun. Mays admitted on June 28, 2025, he possessed a Glock, Model 22C, .40 caliber fully automatic pistol, and that the Glock pistol had a rear slide plate that was modified to produce automatic fire.

On June 28, 2025, Mays fled from Cass County, Mo. Sheriff's Office deputies by driving approximately 130 miles per hour. The pursuit occurred on Interstate 49, and Mays passed vehicles on the outside shoulder during his flight from law enforcement. During the pursuit, Mays nearly struck a motorcycle, then later nearly struck an SUV.

Mays was driving a stolen vehicle in the pursuit. Deputies conducted an inventory of the vehicle and found the Glock pistol that contained a machinegun conversion device, also known as an "MCD", or a "switch." The firearm was loaded with 16 live rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber. The firearm was also reported as stolen. Mays also possessed a .40 caliber, 50-round drum magazine containing 46 rounds of live .40 caliber ammunition.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mays felony convictions for distribution of marijuana and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cass County, Missouri Sheriff's Office.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.