Christopher Murrita Diaz, 20, and Gustavo Vergara Avalos, 21, both from Monroe, North Carolina, have been sentenced to over ten years in prison. Each received a sentence of 130 months followed by supervised release for charges related to drugs and firearms. This was announced by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Both individuals pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a machine gun. Additionally, Diaz admitted guilt to distribution of cocaine, transferring a machine gun, and possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.
Alicia Jones from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, along with Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in announcing the sentences.
Court documents revealed that law enforcement started investigating Diaz after learning he was involved in selling cocaine and machine gun conversion devices known as "Glock switches." During this investigation, Diaz sold cocaine to an ATF informant along with 28 Glock switches, a firearm, two AR-style firearms, and a machine gun. Some contraband sales took place at Vergara Avalos' home. In October 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at this location seizing ten firearms, 26 Glock switches and additional cocaine.
Both men are currently detained and will be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons once assigned to a federal facility.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Union County Sheriff's Office while prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
