Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBUQUERQUE – A Hobbs man was arrested for the illegal sale of automatic weapon conversion devices and a silencer after an undercover investigation by the Lea County Drug Task Force.
The criminal complaint alleges that undercover agents from the Lea County Drug Task Force purchased two Glock switches and one silencer from Tevon Wayne Davis Cobbs, 22, in the parking lot of his workplace in Hobbs, New Mexico.
During the transactions, Cobbs admitted to selling switches – devices that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic “machineguns” – for the past 3-4 years. He offered to install the switches for the undercover agents and showed them videos of himself firing weapons with the illegal modifications.
During the transaction, Cobbs also offered to sell the agents a suppressor, stating he did not want to wait the typical 9-month wait time for legal ownership.
This was the second successful controlled purchase from Cobbs, following an initial sale of one switch on February 8, 2024.
Cobbs claimed to have a steady supply of the illegal devices, which he obtained from an unknown source.
The Lea County Drug Task Force is continuing its investigation into Cobbs‘ illegal firearms trafficking operation. Possession of Glock switches and unregistered suppressors are serious federal crimes that carry lengthy prison sentences.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is investigating this case with assistance from the Lea County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.
One (1) Glock switch with no markings, disassembled into three pieces.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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