lbuquerque woman pleads guilty to selling illegal machine gun devices
ALBUQUERQUE—An Albuquerque woman admitted in federal court to selling illegal machine gun conversion devices and conducting firearms transactions without a license after undercover ATF agents linked her and her son to illegal firearm modifications.
Rachael Jasso, 43, pleaded guilty to the charges stemming from a 2023 investigation in which she and her son, Joe Jasso, were discovered selling machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as Glock switches, on Instagram. According to court documents, undercover agents made two controlled purchases from the pair in February 2023, during which Joe demonstrated how to install the devices, while Rachael assisted with the transactions.
A February 16 search of the Jassos’ residence revealed ten firearms, five machine gun conversion devices, a 3D printer used to manufacture the devices, ammunition, and numerous magazines. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) found that Rachael had purchased thirteen firearms between 2020 and 2023, which were later linked to criminal investigations.
Neither Rachael nor Joe Jasso held the federal firearms license required to legally manufacture or sell these devices. Machine gun conversion devices, which transform semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, are strictly prohibited under federal law.
Rachael Jasso faces up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release at sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. Her son, Joe, also pleaded guilty to similar charges in June and remains in custody awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the ATF and the Albuquerque Police Department, with U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado leading the prosecution.
Federal authorities have emphasized the dangers posed by machine gun conversion devices, citing their increasing use in violent crimes across the country.