A Louisville man, Caleb Pace, was sentenced to two years and seven months in federal prison for the illegal possession of firearms and a machine gun. The sentence, handed down on June 12, 2025, also includes three years of supervised release.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Court documents reveal that Pace, 29, was found with a Glock Model 17 9-millimeter pistol, a Kel-Tec Model P50 5.7 x 28-millimeter pistol, a Glock Switch (a machine gun conversion device), and ammunition. On March 22, 2024, Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) detectives observed him armed through surveillance at an address on North 43rd Street. A subsequent vehicle stop led to the discovery of these firearms.
Pace's criminal history includes convictions for burglary in both second and third degrees and other offenses such as complicity to wanton endangerment and assault under extreme emotional disturbance.
U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner commended law enforcement efforts stating: “This is great work by ATF and LMPD to take another dangerous felon off the streets of Louisville." He emphasized the significance of seizing a pistol capable of automatic fire.
John Nokes from ATF highlighted the danger posed by "Glock switches," which convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons capable of discharging approximately 30 rounds in two seconds. "Their possession presents a serious threat to public safety," he noted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts prosecuted this case which was investigated by ATF and LMPD. The conviction is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating violent crime and illegal firearm possession across the nation.
This case also falls under the Prohibited Firearm Possessor Initiative (PFP), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between local law enforcement agencies including LMPD and ATF.
There is no parole in the federal system.
