MANCHESTER, CT — A 23-year-old Manchester man has been indicted on federal charges that accuse him of importing and trafficking machine gun conversion devices from China, federal prosecutors announced.
David Williams Jr., also known as "Lavish David," pleaded not guilty to the charges during an appearance in federal court in Hartford. He was released on a $100,000 bond pending trial, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment on Oct. 14, charging Williams with conspiracy to traffic firearms, unlawful possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered machine gun and smuggling goods into the United States.
According to court documents and statements made in court, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers examined two packages shipped from China and addressed to Williams at a residence in Bloomfield.
On June 16, 2026, officers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport examined a package containing a machine gun conversion device concealed inside portable camping stove components, prosecutors allege, according to the indictment.
On July 10, 2024, officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York examined another package addressed to the same Bloomfield residence that allegedly contained multiple conversion device components concealed in similar camping stove parts, according to the indictment..
Homeland Security Investigations conducted a controlled delivery of the two packages to the Bloomfield address on July 21, 2026, and confirmed that Williams had ordered the items for delivery there, according to prosecutors.
Investigators also said that a court-authorized search of Williams' Apple account uncovered photos, videos and messages related to firearms possession and the trafficking of machine gun conversion devices.
The devices, commonly called "Glock switches," can allow certain firearms to fire fully automatically, according to the indictment..
Williams was arrested on a federal criminal complaint Oct. 2, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The charges carry maximum prison sentences of 15 years for conspiracy to traffic firearms, 10 years each for unlawful possession of a machine gun and possession of an unregistered machine gun, and 20 years for smuggling goods into the United States. Any sentence would be determined by the court if Williams is convicted.
U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan and Jeff Grimming, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, announced the charges.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with assistance from the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone is prosecuting the case.
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