Twin Falls Dealer Sentenced to 7 Years for ‘Glock Switches’ and Cartel Ties

A Twin Falls man will spend the next seven years behind bars for providing ‘Glock switches’ to a Californian with ties to a cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.

Arthur Michael Rhyne, 41, of Twin Falls, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of firearms. Rhyne was found to have been shipping firearms, including a loaded Glock 9mm pistol with a machinegun conversion device, also known as a ‘switch,’ installed on the gun.

According to court records, ATF agents began investigating Rhyne in August 2023 for illegally obtaining and shipping firearms. Agents learned that Rhyne attempted to ship the loaded Glock 9mm pistol to a contact in California. The ‘switch’ conversion device allows the gun to fire in fully automatic capacity, capable of firing 1,100 – 1,200 rounds per minute.

In October 2023, ATF agents obtained a federal search warrant for Rhyne’s residence in Twin Falls. Agents located 16 firearms, 14 machinegun conversion devices, 3 high-capacity drum magazines, 3 suppressors, more than 2,100 rounds of ammunition, including armor piercing ammunition, and 78 grams of methamphetamine in the safe.

At the time of his arrest, Rhyne was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2008 California conviction for second degree commercial burglary. Rhyne admitted to purchasing the items, including Glock switches and silencers from a person overseas and sending firearms and Glock switches to California. He described his contact in California as a cartel drug dealer and said he believed the guns were going to Mexico.

“Glock switches and similar conversion devices are simple to manufacture and are easy to install. They turn regular firearms into machineguns capable of inflicting a tremendous toll in a few split seconds,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill noted the case was “spine chilling.” Judge Winmill stated that by arming people with automatic firearms, silencers, and high-capacity magazines, Rhyne had created a law enforcement officer’s worst nightmare. Judge Winmill ordered Rhyne to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence and to forfeit all recovered firearms and ammunition.

Rhyne’s sentencing marks a significant victory in the fight against illegal trafficking of ‘trigger switches’. The use and distribution of these devices through the mail poses a serious threat to public safety, and law enforcement agencies will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle such operations.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of firearms trafficking and the importance of holding accountable those who engage in such activities.