CHATTANOOGA, TN – A Chattanooga man is off the streets for over six years after a federal judge handed down a stiff sentence for possessing an illegal machinegun conversion device – a “glock switch” – and a stash of fentanyl pills. Christian J. Williams, 22, was sentenced to 75 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley, Jr. on June 20, 2024, followed by three years of supervised release.
Williams pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a machinegun, a violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 922(o), and one count of possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). The case originated in December 2021 when Chattanooga Police officers spotted a stolen vehicle. A pursuit ensued, ending in a crash and a foot chase.
Officers apprehended Williams after he fled the vehicle and discovered he was carrying a .40 caliber Glock, Model 27 pistol fitted with the illegal “switch.” This device, according to court documents, transforms a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic weapon, capable of firing multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. Federal law classifies these “switches” as machine guns, making their possession a serious felony.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson announced the sentencing. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF Chattanooga Field Office, the ATF Firearms Technology Branch, and the Chattanooga Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin T. Brown prosecuted the case.
This takedown is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement and community engagement. The current PSN strategy focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing enforcement, and tracking results.
The streets of Chattanooga are marginally safer tonight. While 75 months isn’t a lifetime, it’s a significant chunk of time for a 22-year-old to contemplate his choices. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegally modifying firearms and peddling fentanyl will draw the full weight of federal law. Expect more of these cases to hit the docket as the ATF continues to crack down on these dangerous combinations.
RELATED: Glock Switch Kingpin Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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