Federal, Area Officials Announce Indictments For 'Glock Switches'

TUSCALOOSA, AL — U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson announced multiple indictments following a three-month operation to address the illegal possession of “Glock switches” in the City of Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas.

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Nine individuals were indicted in February on firearm charges, with seven individuals indicted on charges of illegal possession of machine gun conversion devices, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch” and two individuals were indicted on charges involving straw purchases of firearms.

“Possession of a ‘Glock switch’ by an individual is a threat to the peace and safety of our communities," Escalona said. "Our hope is that these arrests and continuing enforcement efforts across North Alabama will have a deterrent effect. Our ongoing collaboration with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners is instrumental in reducing violent crime and removing illegal firearms from our communities.”

Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley also said the joint operation demonstrates the effectiveness of working together to confront a growing threat to public safety.

“Combining resources to enforce and prosecute offenders is the most effective way to stop the threat before it becomes more widespread," he said. "These partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies will strengthen our efforts to remove dangerous firearms from our community.”

Escalona said the federal indictments are the result of collaborative efforts with the ATF, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office.

What's more, the U.S. Attorney said initiative is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) — a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

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