Albert Rueben Gaines, 31, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced to 200 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents, in January 2023, DCI agents began receiving information that Gaines was involved in the use and distribution of controlled substances throughout the state of Wyoming.
In June of 2023, several incidents occurred that led to the arrest of Gaines and the seizure of 11 guns, multiple rounds and calibres of ammunition and magazines, approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 62 grams (600 pills) of fentanyl, and approximately $11,000 in cash.
Amongst the 11 seized firearms, law enforcement seized a Glock, model 17, that had been modified with a Glock switch conversion device. The Glock switch converted the semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic machine gun.
Gaines was indicted on July 19, 2023, and pleaded guilty on April 14. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on July 31. This crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Casper Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Timothy J. Forwood.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes the illegal possession of firearms very seriously. Tracking down the sale, use, and possession of machine gun conversion devices is one of our top priorities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann. “Possession of these extremely dangerous devices is against federal law, and our office will continue to vigorously prosecute these violations.”
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