A’Jon Hall, a 20-year-old Indianapolis resident, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a machine gun.
Court documents state that on June 22, 2025, large crowds gathered in downtown Indianapolis for Game Seven of the NBA Finals. At about 10:52 p.m., a member of the public informed Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers about an armed man dressed in black and carrying a backpack who was displaying multiple firearms near a major hotel on Georgia Street.
Officers arriving at the scene saw people running away from a nearby street. They found Hall, who matched the description, wearing black clothing and carrying a backpack. When officers tried to detain him, Hall ignored their commands and ran into a parking garage stairwell.
During the chase, officers heard a loud noise believed to be Hall discarding his backpack. He tried to hide between floors but eventually surrendered after repeated commands from police.
On June 24, IMPD officers with help from the Indianapolis Fire Department recovered the discarded backpack. Next to it they found a Glock 23 .40-caliber handgun fitted with a Glock switch—a device that converts semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic weapons—and a 50-round drum magazine.
Machine gun conversion devices like “Glock switches” or “auto-sears” are classified as machine guns under federal law even if not installed. It is illegal for individuals to possess or sell these devices.
“Machine gun conversion devices are among the most dangerous illegal weapons circulating in our communities. A single switch can turn a handgun into a fully automatic weapon capable of firing dozens of rounds in seconds, putting innocent people at extraordinary risk,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “As Indianapolis continues to host major events that draw large crowds from across the country, our office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure this city remains a safe place to live, work, and gather.”
“We are grateful to the responding IMPD officers for their bravery in confronting an extremely dangerous individual armed with an illegal machine gun in a highly volatile situation,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo. “While we may never know Hall’s true intent that evening, this successful prosecution ensures he will be unable to commit further acts of violence while incarcerated.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman imposed the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Walter for prosecuting this case as part of an ongoing partnership with the City of Indianapolis aimed at identifying and federally prosecuting violent crimes occurring in Marion County.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative by the Department of Justice focused on addressing illegal immigration, dismantling criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
