Glock Switch King Gets 24+ Years in Federal Lockup

Columbia, SC – Laclarence Lamarcus Anderson, 43, will spend the next 297 months – more than two decades – in a federal penitentiary after a jury found him guilty of flooding the streets with firearms and narcotics. The career criminal’s operation, exposed earlier this year, involved selling high-powered weaponry and hard drugs directly to confidential informants, a brazen disregard for public safety that earned him no leniency from Judge Cameron Currie.

Anderson’s downfall began in the spring of 2024 when agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department launched a joint investigation. Over a six-week period in May and June, Anderson allegedly completed ten separate transactions with undercover operatives, unloading a cache of firearms alongside significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. The transactions weren’t victimless; investigators quickly discovered a chilling connection between the weapons Anderson peddled and recent violent crime in the region.

The most damning piece of evidence? One of the firearms Anderson sold was a Glock switch – an illegal device that transforms a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machinegun. These switches, readily available on the black market, exponentially increase a weapon’s rate of fire and lethality. Even more disturbingly, the feds traced two of Anderson’s guns to the scenes of a recent attempted homicide and a completed homicide in neighboring counties. This raises serious questions about how long these weapons had been circulating before Anderson, a known felon, put them into the hands of others.

Federal prosecutors presented evidence during the trial detailing Anderson’s extensive criminal history. He’s already served time for assault and battery with aggravating circumstances, armed robbery, and a litany of other violent and drug-related convictions. As a convicted felon, Anderson was legally prohibited from possessing any firearms. Yet, he allegedly operated as a central hub for illegal gun sales, profiting from the chaos and violence his actions fueled. The prosecution argued that Anderson’s repeated offenses demonstrated a clear pattern of disregard for the law and a willingness to endanger the community.

The twelve-count indictment against Anderson included charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine, as well as multiple counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of an illegal machinegun (the Glock switch). The sentencing guidelines for these charges, considering Anderson’s prior record, called for a substantial prison term. Judge Currie, clearly unimpressed with Anderson’s history and the danger he posed, delivered the maximum possible sentence – 297 months, with no possibility of parole.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein, who led the prosecution, declined to comment beyond stating that the sentence sends a clear message that firearms trafficking and drug dealing will not be tolerated. The ATF and Richland County Sheriff’s Department hailed the conviction as a significant victory in their ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and drug trafficking in the region. However, the case underscores the persistent challenge of stemming the flow of illegal weapons and narcotics, particularly when fueled by repeat offenders like Laclarence Lamarcus Anderson.

This case also highlights the growing problem of Glock switches, easily obtainable devices that turn legal handguns into illegal machineguns, making them significantly more dangerous. Law enforcement across the country are struggling to keep pace with the proliferation of these devices, which are often purchased online and assembled with minimal technical skill. The Anderson case serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences when these weapons fall into the wrong hands.

Beyond the immediate impact of removing Anderson from the streets, the feds hope this conviction will disrupt a larger network of firearms and drug trafficking. Investigators are currently pursuing leads to identify Anderson’s suppliers and customers, aiming to dismantle the entire operation and prevent further violence. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice