Lubbock man caught with ‘switch’ after officer found him slumped over in car

LUBBOCK, Texas — Elias Vega, 41, agreed to plead guilty to Possession of a Machine Gun after he was caught with a “switch” conversion device during a traffic stop, according to federal court records obtained on Friday.

EverythingLubbock.com previously reported Vega was arrested in the 5100 block of the Marsha Sharp Freeway access road back in January.

Federal court documents stated an officer was called for a reckless driver on the access road, and found a car stopped at an intersection. The light turned green, and the vehicle did not move. Court documents said the police officer saw a man, identified as Vega, in the driver’s seat with his head slumped over.

Court records stated the officer banged on the window to wake Vega up. Vega was “disoriented and could not follow simple instructions,” according to court documents. The officer found a Glock with a conversion device next to Vega’s leg, court records stated.

During an interview with an ATF Special Agent, Vega said he bought the gun for “protection” and learned how to use the switch on YouTube.

If his plea is accepted, Vega will be sentenced at a later date to no more than 10 years in prison.

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