A Wilmington, Delaware man was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 16 for allegedly possessing a Glock 19 handgun equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device. The indictment follows the discovery of firearms and other items in his vehicle and residence in late November.
According to court documents, Luqmaan Khan, age 25, was stopped by New Castle County Police Department officers on November 24 during a property check at Canby Park West. Officers found Khan alone in his vehicle after park hours. After he resisted arrest, police searched the car and found a loaded .357 caliber Glock handgun inserted into a microplastic conversion firearm brace kit, three additional loaded magazines, another loaded magazine for a Glock 9mm, an armored ballistic plate, and a marble composition notebook.
The notebook reportedly included discussions about weapons use in attacks and methods to avoid law enforcement detection. It also referenced the University of Delaware Police Department by name and contained diagrams labeled “UD Police Station.”
A search warrant executed at Khan’s Wilmington home the next day led to the recovery of another Glock handgun with an illegal machinegun switch device attached, as well as a .556 rifle with accessories, eleven extended magazines, hollow point ammunition rounds, and tactical gear.
If convicted on the charge of possessing a machinegun under federal law, Khan faces up to ten years in prison. Sentencing would be determined by a judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines if there is a conviction.
United States Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace said: “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.”
FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul said: “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 … is unwavering in our commitment to hold individuals like Mr. Khan accountable.”
Colonel James J. Leonard III from New Castle County Police added: “Thanks to the proactive work of these patrol officers … their professionalism … embody[s] values we expect … every day.”
The charges are accusations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.