Nicholas Kingsley, 42, of Agawam, Massachusetts, was sentenced on Mar. 12 to 110 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for firearm possession offenses, according to David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The sentencing follows an investigation into Chinese companies suspected of importing firearms parts such as machinegun conversion devices (MCDs) and silencers. Homeland Security Investigations flagged several packages containing these items addressed to Kingsley's residence. U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted one package and found three silencers and four MCDs inside.
On April 8, 2024, authorities executed a search warrant at Kingsley's home in Agawam and discovered a small amount of narcotics but no firearms. He was arrested on state drug charges and released on bond. Days later, Enfield Police stopped a vehicle with Kingsley as a passenger and found three privately made firearms—also known as ghost guns—a silencer, an extended magazine, a Glock MCD, and ammunition.
Further searches led investigators to seize 14 firearms from Kingsley's vehicle along with additional MCDs, magazines, body armor, and about 3,000 rounds of ammunition. A review of his phones revealed evidence of purchases related to MCDs and firearms as well as communications with a Chinese company regarding orders for these devices.
Kingsley has prior felony convictions for drug, firearm, assault, and larceny offenses. Federal law prohibits individuals convicted of felonies from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
He has been detained since his arrest. On December 22, 2025, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, unlawful possession of a machine gun, and unlawful possession of a weapon in violation of the National Firearms Act. The case was investigated by multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Enfield Police Department; and the Agawam Police Department.
