Benton Harbor man the last of 17 defendants convicted in machine gun conversion investigation

A 22-year-old Benton Harbor man is the last of 17 people convicted in a federal investigation into drugs and machine gun conversion devices, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A jury convicted Earl Austin IV of two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, five counts of distribution of methamphetamine, three counts of possession and transfer of a machine gun, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

In December 2022, Austin and 10 others were charged with a number of crimes, including selling “switches” that turn semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic machine guns, according to officials. Six others were charged later on.

All have now been convicted, and 13 of them have been sentenced.

A date has not yet been announced for Austin’s sentencing.