Deverin Myers, a 22-year-old from University City, pleaded guilty on Mar. 26 to two counts of possession of a machine gun and one count of receiving a firearm while under indictment.
Myers was caught three times with firearms equipped with devices that convert them into machine guns, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri. The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal firearm modifications and their impact on public safety.
Authorities said that on Aug. 21, 2024, detectives from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department saw Myers with a pistol fitted with a red machinegun conversion device (MCD) visible in his pocket along with other armed individuals in the 2900 block of James “Cool Papa” Bell Avenue. Officers arrested Myers and recovered a loaded Shadow Systems MR920 .40 S&W caliber pistol containing 24 rounds of ammunition. Officials noted that Myers knew he had an MCD because he had previously been arrested in possession of such a device in 2023 and faced related charges earlier in 2024.
Police reported another incident involving Myers on Aug. 18, 2025, when officers observed him inside a blue Audi parked near the same block where previous arrests occurred. When approached by police, the vehicle sped away before becoming disabled nearby; both the driver and Myers fled on foot. During his escape, Myers discarded a micro-Draco pistol while officers later found a Glock 19 pistol equipped with an MCD loaded with 35 rounds at the scene. Authorities stated that this Draco pistol had been purchased just five days after Myers was indicted for prior weapons charges.
Myers faces up to ten years in prison for each machine gun charge and up to five years for receiving a firearm while under indictment when sentenced.
The investigation was conducted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
