For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Indictment: So-called ‘Glock Switches’ Would Have Turned Pistols into Machineguns
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man is facing federal charges after he imported devices from China that for $19 a piece can turn a Glock pistol into a fully automatic machinegun, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.
The defendant was indicted yesterday in U.S. District Court in Topeka.
Jacob Gragg, 33, Topeka, Kan., is charged in a four-count indictment with one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun, one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered machinegun, one count of unlawful possession of an explosive and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The indictment alleges investigators seized seven so-called “Glock switches” and half a pound of Tannerite, which is a binary explosive, from Gragg. Gragg bought the Glock switches from a company in Shenzhen, Gaundong Province, China. On a website, the company advertised the “Glock Auto Switch,” saying the product would convert all models of Glock pistols to “Full Auto.” The device operates by applying force to the trigger bar to prevent it from limiting the weapon to firing only one round each time the trigger is depressed.
The indictment alleges Gragg was prohibited from possessing the explosive because he had prior felony convictions in Shawnee County District Court and Morris County District Court.
If convicted, he faces the following penalties:
- Unlawful possession of a machine gun (count one) and unlawful possession of an explosive by a prohibited person (count three): Up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000
- Possession of an unregistered machinegun (count two): Up to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000.
- Possession with intent to distribute marijuana: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Investigating agencies included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Topeka Police Department and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs is prosecuting.
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