Federal charges filed against gang member caught with gold switch-modified Glock in Dallas
Dallas, Texas – A Dallas gang member was arrested with a Glock pistol equipped with a gold machinegun conversion device and has been detained pending trial, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Johnny Bates, a 19-year-old member of the “415 East Dallas Posse” gang, has been charged with possession of a machinegun. Following his arrest on November 7, a federal judge ordered him to remain in custody pending his trial.
Alleged Incident and Arrest Details
Court documents state that in December 2023, Bates was reportedly caught on video firing a pistol that appeared to function as a fully automatic weapon. While police were unable to apprehend him at the time, they recovered a Glock pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion switch—commonly referred to as a “switch”—along the path of his escape.
In October 2024, Dallas Police tracked Bates to an apartment in the Oak Cliff neighborhood. When officers attempted to arrest him on outstanding warrants related to the December 2023 incident, he resisted, prompting a physical struggle. Officers eventually subdued Bates with the help of additional police backup.
During the arrest, officers found a 9mm Glock pistol with an extended magazine and a gold switch in his backpack. The firearm was later linked via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to an aggravated assault in Dallas on September 12. Authorities clarified that Bates is not suspected of involvement in that incident, as another suspect has already been identified.
Social Media Evidence
At a detention hearing on November 8, investigators testified that Bates had a history of possessing machinegun conversion devices. Prosecutors presented photos from Bates’s Instagram account allegedly depicting firearms with visible switches attached, bolstering the case for his detention.
Legal Process and Potential Sentencing
Bates faces a charge of possession of a machinegun under federal law. If convicted, he could receive a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. A criminal complaint, however, is only an allegation, and Bates is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The case is being investigated by the Dallas Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Withers is leading the prosecution.
