Group arrested during operation

 Irving—The Irving Police Department, in conjunction with the Arlington Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Garland Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), executed three search and eight arrest warrants across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex on Jan. 9.  

These warrants were the result of "Operation Reel Switch," which began in September 2024. Irving led the operation with the assistance of ATF and HSI agents, focusing on the illegal distribution of machine gun conversion devices, also known as Glock switches or auto sears, in our communities. Glock switches can turn semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, increasing the level of risk for innocent individuals in the community and the likelihood of a crime turning deadly. The takedown was also part of “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” a statewide federal initiative taking aim at machinegun conversion devices.  

Over a four-month period, officers recovered four firearms and 35 Glock switches that were advertised and sold through social media outlets. An additional five Glock switches, four firearms, narcotics, and currency were recovered at the search warrant locations. The operation was also instrumental in identifying how these "suppliers" obtain gun switches from China.  

The suspects taken into custody are Caden Martinez, 17; Xavier Velasquez, 17; Marnelius Burks, 20; Marco Cabrales, 22; Royce Weaver, 21; Anthony Cantu, 18; Damien Sereseroz, 20; and Gracie Valadez, 20. 

Six of the eight suspects successfully taken into custody now have federal indictments filed against them. The federal charges include Possession and Transfer of a Machinegun, Aiding and Abetting in the Possession and Transfer of a Machinegun, and Conspiracy to Possess and Transfer a Machinegun. Two suspects have state charges that include Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, and Possession of PG2.  

SOURCE Irving Police Department