2 in Sumter Police custody after firearms, 'Glock switches' seized

Several firearms and “Glock switches” are off the streets after Sumter Police Department and two federal agencies made arrests earlier this week.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the local police department arrested two individuals after learning of deliveries of “Glock switch” components were delivered to a home within the city.

Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the police department, said a Glock switch is a device that can be added to a semi-automatic firearm, making it fully automatic.

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a switch is classified as a machine gun under federal law.

Information gathered during the investigation indicated a 17-year-old male, whose name cannot be released due to his age, ordered the switches to potentially resell the components. He was placed in custody and charged with possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm by a minor, McGirt said.

Dominique Cartell Pearson, 39, was living at the residence with the teenager and was found in possession of a controlled substance, valued at a street value of more than $700. He was arrested in charged with possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy, McGirt said. He is booked at Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center.

An investigation is ongoing.