After a four-day trial, Thomas Emmanuel Williams, 52, from Laurel, Maryland, was found guilty on 12 federal charges related to drug and firearms trafficking. The conviction was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Evidence presented at the trial revealed that in January and February 2023, Williams illegally sold 10 firearms, three machineguns, ammunition, and hundreds of oxycodone, codeine, and fentanyl pills to an undercover law enforcement source. Among the firearms sold were privately made guns without serial numbers and "Glock switches," which convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic firearms.
Williams arranged these sales through FaceTime and phone calls with the undercover source on four separate occasions. The transactions took place in shopping center parking lots located in Laurel and Hyattsville, Maryland.
The specific firearms involved included a Hi Point 45 ACP Pistol and 9mm Rifle, Taurus 85 Ultra Lite .38 Special Revolver, two AR-style 5.56mm pistols, a Glock 21 .45 Auto Pistol, a Glock 43 9mm Pistol, as well as three "Glock switches," which are legally classified as machineguns under federal law.
Williams is facing a minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang after considering various statutory factors and guidelines set forth by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 17, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Barron praised the efforts of the ATF in this investigation along with special agents Christopher Szakolczai and Katherine Rottman who led the investigative efforts. He also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darren S. Gardner and Dawn Williams for prosecuting the case.
For further information regarding the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office's priorities or community resources available to assist residents, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
