Los Lunas Man Charged in Federal Case Involving Large Scale Machinegun Conversion Device Trafficking

ALBUQUERQUE – A Los Lunas man has been charged in federal court after an undercover investigation allegedly revealed a sustained operation to manufacture, convert, and sell machineguns and a significant quantity of machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches.” According to court documents, in August and September 2025, an undercover ATF agent identified Robert Gurule , 23, advertising firearms and suspected machineguns for sale on Facebook, including videos of him handling and firing a fully automatic weapon. Screenshots from videos posed to social media The investigation led to multiple controlled purchases during which Gurule allegedly sold firearms equipped with machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches,” and claimed he regularly converted semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. On October 2, 2025, Gurule allegedly sold the undercover agent a rifle with a conversion device and a high-capacity drum magazine for $1,600, demonstrating how the weapon functioned as a machinegun and offering to supply additional firearms. He later agreed to sell multiple machineguns, completing a second transaction on December 5, 2025, in which he allegedly sold three machineguns and an additional firearm for a total of $4,600. Laboratory analysis confirmed that the firearms and conversion devices met the federal definition of machineguns. Photographs Gurule sent of the firearms In April 2026, Gurule allegedly arranged to sell approximately 80 machinegun conversion devices and additional firearms to the undercover agent. On April 24, 2026, Gurule and codefendant Izatah Hausner , 21, met with the agent and displayed the devices and negotiated a sale valued at $11,500. Both men were arrested at the scene after the agent took possession of the conversion devices. During the transaction, Hausner also allegedly offered to sell a firearm and stated he was involved in fentanyl distribution. “The illegal sale of these conversion devices is a deliberate escalation of violence that puts our community and our officers at extreme risk,’ said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “Since day one, I have worked with a sense of urgency to address our crime problem by getting back to the basics of federal prosecution. My priority remains keeping New Mexicans safe by relentlessly prosecuting those who flood our streets with these illegal weapons.” "The trafficking of machinegun conversion devices has evolved from a domestic policing issue into a transnational threat,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge A. J. Gibes. These clandestine operations allow criminals to bypass background checks, placing low-cost, high-impact tools in the hands of cartels and violent offenders. Through historic cooperation, the ATF and our partners are targeting these social media-driven networks to close the lethality gap that threatens law enforcement and civilian safety on both sides of the border." “This investigation is a clear example of what can be achieved through coordinated law enforcement efforts," said New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez. "By working alongside our federal and local partners, we are sending a strong message: the illegal trafficking of machineguns and conversion devices will not be tolerated in New Mexico. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners to keep our communities safe.” Gurule is charged with unlawful possession and transfer of a machinegun and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has been scheduled for April 29, 2026. If convicted of the current charge, Gurule faces up to 10 years in prison. Hausner is charged with aiding and abetting and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has been scheduled for April 29, 2026. If convicted of the current charge, Hausner faces up to 10 years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Albert Gibes, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fi