Zaiveon Perry, Glock Switch Trafficking, Indianapolis IN, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Zaiveon Perry, 24, of Indianapolis, is headed to federal prison for two years after admitting to peddling illegal Glock switches – devices that turn ordinary handguns into fully automatic machineguns. The sentence, handed down Friday, reflects a growing national concern over the proliferation of these dangerous add-ons.

According to court documents, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) first caught wind of Perry’s illicit activities back in April 2021, following tips from the Indiana State Police regarding his drug and firearm dealing spanning Indianapolis and Chicago. Investigators soon discovered Perry brazenly advertising fully automatic Glocks for sale on social media – a digital storefront for illegal weaponry.

The break in the case came on July 28, 2021, when ATF agents and ISP troopers observed Perry completing a sale: a Glock pistol equipped with a Glock switch, going for $3,250.00, all conducted from his black BMW. Perry was arrested on January 6, 2022, and ultimately confessed to selling at least seven Glock firearms outfitted with the illegal conversion devices. These “Glock switches,” also known as “auto-sears,” are classified as machineguns under federal law, even when detached, making their possession and sale without a special license a serious felony.

“Criminals who put illegal machineguns onto our streets add fuel to the fire of gun violence already devastating far too many of our families,” stated Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Possession and sale of these extremely dangerous devices is a serious crime which can result in years in federal prison. Our office will continue to work with the ATF, ISP, and all our partners in law enforcement to get illegal machineguns out of our communities and hold gun traffickers accountable.”

Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division, echoed the sentiment. “Unfortunately, we are seeing more of these deadly conversion devices showing up on the streets,” he said. “U.S. law has long recognized that automatic weapons pose a special risk to public safety, both through the sheer volume of bullets fired and the likelihood that innocent bystanders will be injured or killed. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use and distribute machine gun conversion devices.”

U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon imposed the two-year sentence and ordered Perry to undergo three years of supervised release after his prison term and pay a $500 fine. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett and falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and communities aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The investigation was a joint effort by the ATF and the Indiana State Police.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Weapons

Clifton Jiles, Straw Purchasing, St. Paul MN, 2023

Apr 9, 2026

Weapons

Abdur Rahmen Abdullah, Firearms Law Violation, Pennsylvania 2013

Jul 14, 2015

Weapons

Ikeem McDole, Federal Firearms Charge, Wilmington DE, 2023

Jun 15, 2023

Weapons

Shatner Lewis, Illegal Firearm Possession, Baton Rouge LA, 2023

Apr 9, 2026