On January 9, the Irving Police Department, in conjunction with the Arlington Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Garland Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), executed three search and eight arrest warrants across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
These warrants were the result of "Operation Reel Switch," which began in September 2024. Irving led the operation with the assistance of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, focusing on the illegal distribution of Machine Gun Conversion Devices, also known as Glock Switches or auto sears, in our communities. Glock Switches can turn semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, increasing the level of risk for innocent individuals in the community and the likelihood of a crime turning deadly. The takedown was also part of “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” a statewide federal initiative taking aim at machinegun conversion devices.
Over a four-month period, officers recovered four firearms and 35 Glock Switches that were advertised and sold through social media outlets. An additional five Glock Switches, four firearms, narcotics, and currency were recovered at the search warrant locations. The operation was also instrumental in identifying how these "suppliers" obtain gun switches from China.
Six of the eight suspects successfully taken into custody now have federal indictments filed against them. The federal charges include Possession and Transfer of a Machinegun, Aiding and Abetting in the Possession and Transfer of a Machinegun, and Conspiracy to Possess and Transfer a Machinegun. Two suspects have state charges that include Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, and Possession of PG2.
Arrested Individuals:
- Caden Xavier Martinez, 17 – Charged with 3 counts of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, 3 counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, and 3 counts of Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument.
- Xavier Roger Velasquez, 17 – Charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (PG2), Possession of Marijuana, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, and Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument.
- Marnelius Burgs, 20
- Marco Cabrales, 22
- Royce Weaver, 21
- Anthony Joel Cantu, 18
- Damien Sereseroz, 20
- Gracie Valadez, 20
“Six months ago, we pledged to deploy the full force of the federal government against those who traffic in machinegun conversion devices. With the help of our law enforcement partners, we’ve done just that,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “In the hands of a criminal, these illegal devices exponentially increase a firearm’s lethality. We will not allow them to overtake our streets.”
“Unfortunately for the bad guys, the good guys work together. It may not always look that way in Hollywood, but fortunately for our citizens, we work better together than any criminal organization out there. We promised an all-out blitz on machine gun conversion devices last year, and this case shows that our team has all the momentum. I would like to thank the Irving Police Department, specifically their ultra talented detective team, and all our law enforcement partners for this collective win for the people of the DFW metroplex” stated ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.
“I want to commend the collaborative effort between the Irving Police Department and ATF Dallas in addressing the serious issue of illegal firearm modifications. Our commitment to public safety remains unwavering, and we will continue to work diligently to prevent the proliferation of dangerous weapons in our community.”
If convicted, each arrestee face up to 10 years in federal prison.
