An Essex County man has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for a variety of firearms charges, including possession of a ghost gun, a machine gun modified with an illegal switch, and a 50-round drum magazine.
Kaiyir Green, 23, of Newark, was sentenced before Georgette Castner in U.S. District Court in Trenton, according to a release by Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello. Green was sentenced to 11 years and three months in jail, plus three years of supervised release.
Green earlier pled guilty in July 2025 to a four-count indictment that charged him with two charges of possession of a handgun and/or ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
According to court documents and statements, law enforcement officials went to a report of a stolen automobile on March 1, 2023, and discovered Green attempting to enter the vehicle. When police approached, Green fled on foot. He was captured following a pursuit, and officers discovered a phantom gun with five rounds of ammunition.
Following his arrest, Green made several phone conversations from a recorded detention facility line, instructing another person to go to his residence and retrieve “everything,” including a “black bag.” Authorities later witnessed someone remove a black bag from the house. A later search of the luggage revealed a handgun modified with a switch device, transforming it into a fully automatic machine gun. The firearm was loaded with one round of 9mm ammo in a large-capacity magazine. Officers also retrieved a 50-round drum magazine.
Green was found to have trafficked dozens of firearms from out of state into New Jersey, including AR-style pistols, machine guns, and firearms with extended or drum magazines. Authorities stated that the guns were sold to third parties within the state.
Lamparello thanked investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Field Division, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Kalogiros; the New Jersey State Police, led by Acting Superintendent Lt. Col. David Sierotowicz; and the Elizabeth Police Department, led by Chief Giacomo Sacca, for their contributions to the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark represented the government.
According to federal investigators, the case highlights ongoing enforcement efforts to combat illegal guns possession and trafficking in New Jersey communities.
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