A 23-year-old Manchester resident known as “Lavish David” was arraigned in Hartford federal court this week in a case involving machine-gun conversion devices. David Williams Jr. pleaded not guilty and was released on a $100,000 bond pending trial.
Williams faced federal charges related to machine-gun conversion devices, according to CT Insider. He was charged with federal offenses related to machine-gun conversion devices. Williams was arrested and later appeared before a judge, where he entered his not-guilty plea.
Controlled Delivery Led to Bloomfield Address
On July 21, investigators conducted a controlled delivery of two packages to the Bloomfield address, confirming that Williams had ordered the items to that residence, per the same account from Sullivan.
The devices at the center of the case, commonly known as Glock switches, are small attachments that allow certain firearms to fire fully automatically once installed. The U.S. Code contains federal firearms provisions; possession and importation of these devices from certain countries, including China, are prohibited under the National Firearms Act.
Part of a Broader Federal Crackdown
Part of a Broader Federal Crackdown The Williams case comes amid a wider federal focus on these devices. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney discussed the emerging threat of machine-gun conversion devices, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A separate federal investigation described by the Internal Revenue Service noted that possession and importation of these devices from certain countries, including China, are prohibited under the National Firearms Act, and that investigation alone turned up 3,093 of the devices.
Connecticut lawmakers have also flagged the problem. Connecticut law targeted pistols modifiable with switches, according to the Connecticut General Assembly.
Similar cases have surfaced elsewhere in New England. In New Hampshire, a 19-year-old Nashua resident was charged by criminal complaint with possession of a machine gun and appeared in federal court shortly after his arrest, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Williams’ case remains pending in federal court, and the evidence reviewed does not indicate when the matter will proceed to trial.
