GREENBELT, MD – Thomas Emmanuel Williams, 52, of Laurel, Maryland, was convicted by a federal jury on 12 charges related to drug and firearms trafficking after a four-day trial. Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, and Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement following the verdict.
The case stems from events that occurred in January and February 2023, when Williams was found to have illegally sold firearms, machineguns, ammunition, and opioid pills to an undercover law enforcement source. Evidence at trial revealed that Williams sold 10 firearms, including three machineguns, along with hundreds of oxycodone, codeine, and fentanyl pills. Notably, some of the firearms sold by Williams were privately made with no serial numbers, while others were equipped with “Glock switches”, which are devices designed to convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic firearms.
Williams arranged the transactions via FaceTime and phone calls, meeting the undercover source on four separate occasions in shopping-center parking lots in Laurel and Hyattsville, Maryland. The meetings involved the exchange of guns, ammunition, and drugs for thousands of dollars in cash.
The firearms sold included a Hi Point 45 ACP Pistol, a 9mm Rifle, a Taurus 85 Ultra Lite .38 Special Revolver, two AR-style 5.56mm pistols, and two Glock pistols, one in .45 Auto and another in 9mm. Additionally, Williams sold three Glock switches, which are classified as machineguns under federal law.
Williams is facing a minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. Sentencing will take place on April 17, 2025, with U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang determining the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Barron praised the ATF for its thorough investigation and commended ATF special agents Christopher Szakolczai and Katherine Rottman for their efforts. He also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darren S. Gardner and Dawn Williams for their work in prosecuting the case.
The conviction marks a significant win in the fight against illegal firearms trafficking and opioid distribution.
