Norfolk Man Sentenced for Possessing Glock Switches and Glock Handgun in Furtherance of Drug-Trafficking Crime
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to 140 months in prison for possessing several Glock switches, or autosear kits, that convert handguns into fully automatic machineguns, as well as a Glock handgun that he used protect his marijuana-distribution efforts.
According to court documents, Karon Rayosha Howard, 28, sold Glock switches, or autosear kits, that convert handguns into fully automatic machineguns. One of his customers, Shy'Quan Dodson, was a Kai Gang member who used a Glock machinegun in a shootout on July 18, 2021, in downtown Norfolk, then was involved in a high-speed chase with police officers that resulted in his vehicle crashing. He threw the Glock out the car window, but officers recovered it and saw that it had been illegally modified with a 3D-printed Glock switch, and evidence from Dodson’s phone indicated that Howard had sold him the device.
On September 1, 2021, officers secured and executed a search warrant for Howard’s residence, where they recovered two more Glock switches, another firearm, and marijuana packaged for distribution. Howard admitted to possessing all the recovered contraband and told the police: “I’m always gonna go to jail for firearms. You feel me? I’m gonna have a gun on me.”
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division; and Mike Goldsmith, Interim Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Jackson and Joe Depadilla, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Graham Stolle prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-2.
