Stephen Simmons, Possessing Unregistered Machinegun, West Virginia 2023

Stephen Simmons, a 40-year-old man from Nitro, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered machinegun, a serious crime that puts public safety at risk. According to court documents, Simmons admitted to possessing a Glock switch, a device designed to convert semiautomatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machineguns, and did not register it in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by federal law.

The search warrant was executed at Simmons’ 32nd Street residence in Nitro on January 3, 2023, where law enforcement officers seized a Ruger model 10/22 .22-caliber rifle, two Glock switches, two drop-in auto sears, and six firearm silencers. These items are considered machineguns and firearms as defined by federal law.

A Glock switch is a device designed solely to convert semiautomatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machineguns, and a drop-in auto sear is a device designed solely to convert semiautomatic AR-type firearms into fully automatic machineguns. Firearm silencers, on the other hand, are designed to silence, muffle or diminish the report of a portable firearm.

Simmons is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. This is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of possessing unregistered machineguns and violating federal laws.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) commended the investigative work of law enforcement in this case. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and expressed his commitment to reducing violent crime and gun violence in the community.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring results. Simmons’ guilty plea is a significant step towards ensuring public safety and upholding federal laws.

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