Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Illegal Machinegun After Police Chase

A 21-year-old Montgomery man has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a modified firearm following a brief police chase and a deeper investigation into his social media activity.

In March 2025, Da’Quarious Lamarion Dudley admitted guilt in federal court to the illegal possession of a machine gun, a serious firearm offense under federal law. The charges stem from an incident on February 9, 2024, when Dudley was arrested by law enforcement after a short pursuit involving a vehicle and a foot chase.

According to court documents, the incident began when officers responded to a call about a stolen Mercedes-Benz. Police located the vehicle and attempted to pull Dudley over. Instead of complying, he tried to escape by making a U-turn, but another officer quickly blocked his path. Dudley then fled the scene on foot.

While fleeing, Dudley threw away a firearm that officers later recovered. Police identified the weapon as a Glock 17 9mm pistol illegally modified to function as a machine gun. It included a device commonly known as a “Glock switch,” which allows a semi-automatic handgun to fire continuously like a fully automatic weapon. Federal law prohibits the possession and use of such devices.

Following Dudley’s arrest, law enforcement secured a warrant to search his Facebook page. The search revealed that Dudley had regularly posted about possessing these conversion devices, referred to as “switches,” and had also offered to obtain them for others in the Montgomery area. These findings supported the prosecution’s argument that Dudley was not only using illegal firearms but also playing a role in the broader distribution of them.

Although small, Glock switches have become a growing concern for law enforcement across the United States. The device can turn a legal firearm into a fully automatic weapon capable of firing multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, significantly increasing the danger to the public and officers.

Dudley’s guilty plea marks a significant development in local efforts to crack down on illegal firearm modifications and the online trade of such devices. He now faces potential federal sentencing, including prison time and other legal consequences.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating the spread of illegal firearm modifications, particularly those promoted and traded through social media platforms. Authorities continue to warn the public about the serious legal consequences of possessing or distributing machinegun conversion devices.