FORT WORTH, TX – A Fort Worth man is in federal custody after authorities allege he was the kingpin behind a prolific operation manufacturing and selling thousands of illegal Glock switches – small, 3D-printed devices that transform standard pistols into fully automatic machineguns. Xavier Desean Watson was charged with possession and transfer of machine guns following his arrest Thursday night in the parking lot of his apartment complex. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cureton in Fort Worth on Friday.
The case is part of a wider crackdown on the burgeoning black market for these conversion devices. Earlier this year, three other individuals – Ayoob Wali, 23; Jose Corral Santillan, 19; and Montavion Jones, 20 – were also charged in connection with the distribution network. Authorities say the investigation began after Fort Worth law enforcement noticed a disturbing spike in shootings involving firearms equipped with these easily-installed “switches” or “sears.”
“As simple to manufacture as they are quick to install, conversion devices turn regular firearms into machineguns capable of inflicting tremendous harm in a few split seconds,” declared U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad E. Meacham. “Imagine hardened criminals armed not only with pistols, potentially lethal in their own right, but also with automatic firearms rivaling those carried by the U.S. military. These half-inch pieces of plastic are putting our people at risk. We cannot let these devices proliferate on our streets.”
ATF agents seized over 650 of the illegal conversion devices during the investigation. Court documents reveal that a single 3D printer can churn out approximately 100 of the plastic switches every 72 hours. The devices allow a handgun to fire up to 1200 rounds per minute – a rate exceeding that of the standard M-4 machinegun issued to U.S. military personnel. The investigation unfolded after multiple criminal defendants identified Jose Corral Santillan, a gang member, as a key source of the switches.
Undercover agents were able to purchase 10 conversion devices from Montavion Jones in March 2022, delivered via a juvenile accomplice. A month later, eight more switches were bought directly from Jose Corral Santillan. When questioned, Corral allegedly admitted he wasn’t the printer himself, but knew “the guy that got the printer.” Surveillance then revealed Corral meeting with Ayoob Wali, who was allegedly the link to Xavier Watson. Corral reportedly described Watson as “paranoid” and reluctant to meet with the agent directly. Wali and Corral were arrested on May 3rd, followed by Jones on June 6th.
“Machinegun conversion devices pose a serious threat to public safety and have been increasingly used in violent gun crime,” stated James VanVliet, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Dallas Field Division. “This investigation is a clear example of the relentless pursuit by ATF along with our partners to disrupt not only those possessing and using these weapons but also their suppliers.” The investigation remains ongoing, and further charges are possible as authorities continue to trace the distribution network of these dangerous devices.
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