Four individuals have entered guilty pleas in a federal case involving the sale of illegal machine gun conversion devices and narcotics to an undercover federal agent. This operation, a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, is a collaborative effort aimed at reducing violent crime and firearm-related offenses in communities across the nation. According to a U.S. Department of Justice press release, Reginald Smith, Delance Bland Jr., Kevin Burrow, and Tamika Patterson are the accused parties in this conspiracy, which has been under investigation by agencies including the ATF, DEA, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Of the accused, Smith faces the most severe charges, having pled guilty to three counts of possession of machine guns, one count of unlawfully dealing in firearms, and one count of aiding, and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine. The undercover operation first unfolded after authorities were tipped off about Smith selling machine gun conversion devices—also known as automatic sears or "switches"—on Facebook, as mentioned on the U.S. Attorney's Office. These devices illegally convert semi-automatic firearms into full-auto weapons. In one particular instance, mentioned in the DOJ release, an undercover ATF agent was sold not only a Glock pistol but two switches designed to make it fully automatic.
The others involved have also admitted their roles within the drug trafficking operation. Bland Jr. has entered a guilty plea for one count of possession of a machine gun. Burrow's charges include possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and additional counts related to the distribution of meth. Tamika Patterson, identified as Smith's mother, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and aiding in its distribution. According to the same press release, when the undercover agent expressed interest in purchasing meth, Smith introduced him to Patterson, who then led the agent to Burrow, her meth source.
The chain of events further unwound with Smith claiming he and Bland were St. Louis's main traders of machine gun conversion devices, ordering them in batches of ten from China. Smith is scheduled for sentencing on May 15, with the possibility of facing up to 10 years for the machine gun charge, and up to five years for the firearm dealing charge. According to the DOJ, Burrow will receive his sentence on March 19, while Patterson awaits sentencing on May 7. On the other hand, Bland has already been sentenced to 21 months in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is prosecuting the case, reflecting the gravity of these offenses and their impact on community safety.
