ERIE — A man pleaded guilty in federal court to allegations he had a machinegun not registered to him hiding in the ceiling of his Port Allegany home.

James William McMichael, 72, formerly of Port Allegany, entered a guilty plea Thursday before US. District Judge David S. Cercone on one charge of violating federal firearms laws, acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song announced on Friday.

According to Song, McMichael, a former federally licensed firearms dealer, ordered firearms parts that were then assembled into a functioning machinegun. The firearm was hidden in his ceiling.

Cercone set sentencing for June 5.

McMichael faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both for the charge, Song stated. However, the actual sentence will be based upon the seriousness of the incident and McMichael’s criminal history.

The prosecution is headed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshal J. Piccinini. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Port Allegany Police Department investigated the incident.