Middletown Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Machineguns

Wilmington, Del. - A Middletown, Delaware, resident was arrested on August 1, 2024, and charged with illegally possessing machineguns, announced David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.

According to court documents, Eric Quinn, 36, ordered and received Glock auto sears, also known as "Glock switches," from China. Glock auto sears are conversion devices designed and created for the sole purpose of converting semi-automatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machineguns. When installed properly, Glock auto sears allow a firearm to expel more than one projectile by a single pull of the trigger, at a rate of approximately 1,200 rounds per minute.

A criminal complaint charges Quinn, who is a convicted felon, with possessing machineguns as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. If convicted of these charges, Quinn faces a maximum penalty of 15 years of imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Homeland Security Investigations, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, conducted the investigation in this matter, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Delaware State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan C. Williamson is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.