Middletown Resident Arrested for Illegal Possession of Machineguns

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WILMINGTON, Del. – A Middletown, Delaware, resident was arrested on August 1, 2024, and charged with illegally possessing machineguns, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware.

Case Details

According to court documents, Eric Quinn, 36, ordered and received Glock auto sears, also known as "Glock switches," from China. These devices are designed to convert semi-automatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machineguns. When installed correctly, Glock auto sears enable a firearm to fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull, at a rate of approximately 1,200 rounds per minute.

Quinn, a convicted felon, is charged with possessing machineguns and being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Delaware State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan C. Williamson is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.