In Newport News, Virginia, a local man has admitted to serious firearms offenses in federal court. Eric Floyd, a 22-year-old from Virginia Beach, entered a guilty plea for his role in a firearms trafficking scheme that involved the sale of machine guns, handguns, rifles, and illegal conversion devices known as “Glock switches.” These devices can transform semiautomatic guns into fully automatic weapons.
The investigation into Floyd’s operations started in April 2023, uncovering a scheme that ran from May to December of the same year. Floyd, along with accomplices, was caught selling 19 handguns, two rifles, and 35 Glock switches, many of which were produced by the group. Their buyer, an undercover federal agent, was led to believe these items were being moved out of state, unaware of the true nature of Floyd’s operation.
In one of the deals, Floyd confided that some of the guns were “dirty,” implicating them in crimes. He rationalized that selling these firearms would distance the crimes from their origins, even as he reinvested the sales proceeds into expanding their illegal armory. He acknowledged the significant risk the buyer was taking by transporting the weapons across state lines, a move that could attract federal charges.
Floyd now faces up to fifteen years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for July 11. The final decision on his sentence will be made by a federal judge, taking into consideration the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The plea was announced by Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, the ATF’s Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge, following the acceptance of Floyd’s guilty plea by U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal and local law enforcement to combat illegal firearms trafficking and ensure public safety.