Previously Missing Nashua Teen Accused Of ‘Possessing Unregistered Machine Gun Conversion Device’: Follow-Up

CONCORD, NH — Just days before being reported missing to Nashua police, the teen was accused of possessing an unregistered switch on a Glock, according to U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan.

Alexander Diandro Cruz, 19, was arrested on Sunday and appeared in U.S. District Court on Monday to face a single felony count of possession of a machine gun.

According to investigators, on Sept. 24, Nashua police “encountered Cruz and found him in possession of a loaded Glock firearm,” Creegan said Monday. The Glock had a “switch” or “machine gun conversion device,” a statement said, leading to the charge. Creegan said all firearms with conversions must be lawfully registered.

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According to a court filing, Nashua police received “numerous calls for service” regarding Cruz and his alleged “erratic, violent behavior, declining mental health, and his available access to firearms inside his then-residence.” He also had pending charges in Massachusetts including firearm-carry without a license, ammunition without an FID card, assault with a dangerous weapon, to wit, a firearm, and disorderly conduct. The Bay State charges were issued in August 2024 but were never properly entered into the NCIC for unknown reasons, an investigator said.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information provided by the U.S. District Court and does not constitute a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

On Sept. 23, a family member reported Cruz to police, fearing for their safety, and an emergency involuntary emergency admissions order was requested and approved. Police detained Cruz and took him to Saint Joseph’s Hospital the next day. During the interaction, police accused him of being uncooperative and of attempting to access something in his pocket. During a frisk, police found a loaded Glock 23C .40 caliber pistol with “a gold box-type machine gun conversion kit” attached to it.

On Sept. 29, police were told Cruz had fled the hospital while being evaluated, and issued an alert requesting help from the public to find him, according to the complaint. The next day, police received calls from Cruz’s family who claimed he had attempted to gain access to the home but fled before police arrived.

A special agent with the ATF took possession of the Glock later, according to the complaint, and a second firearm expert with the department concurred there was a machine gun conversion device attached to the Glock.

A warrant for Cruz’s arrest was issued on Oct. 1 and he was picked up in Nashua by police two days later. Cruz requested a lawyer, and the court granted it. According to court documents, he waived a detention hearing.

Cruz faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of probation, and a fine of $10,000.

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