Beaufort, January 9, 2026
Emmanuelle Hargrove Jr., a 25-year-old man from Ridgeland, has been sentenced to six years in prison for possession of a machine gun. His conviction follows an arrest where police found a modified Glock handgun during a traffic stop. The modification, known as a ‘switch’, enables the firearm to fire automatically, raising serious public safety concerns. South Carolina law mandates strict penalties for such offenses, highlighting ongoing efforts against illegal firearm modifications.
Beaufort, S.C.
Ridgeland Man Sentenced to Six Years for Possession of Machine Gun in Beaufort Area
A Ridgeland man, Emmanuelle Hargrove Jr., 25, has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty on Thursday, January 8, 2026, to possession of a machine gun. The conviction stems from his arrest exactly two years prior, when police found him with a handgun illegally modified with a “switch” device in the Beaufort area.
Details of the Incident
The arrest occurred in 2024 when a Beaufort Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima for a non-specific violation. During the stop, the officer detected the odor of burnt marijuana, prompting a probable-cause search of the vehicle. Beneath the front passenger seat, authorities discovered a Glock 31 handgun equipped with an illegal modification commonly known as a “switch.” Subsequent DNA testing linked Hargrove to the modified firearm.
Understanding the “Switch” Device
The “switch” is a small, illicit device, often made of plastic or metal, that can be easily attached to the rear of the slide of a semi-automatic handgun, effectively converting it into a fully automatic weapon. This modification allows the firearm to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, significantly increasing its rate of fire and lethality. Devices like the “Glock switch” are aftermarket parts, not manufactured by firearm companies, and are illegally bought and sold, often through black markets or made with 3D printers.
When a standard semi-automatic pistol is fitted with a “switch,” it functions by manipulating the trigger bar to prevent it from limiting fire to one round per trigger pull. This rapid-fire capability poses a substantial threat, as it can lead to a high volume of bullets being discharged in a short timeframe, increasing the risk of unintended casualties and making the weapon extremely difficult to control even for trained individuals. Law enforcement officials nationally have expressed growing concern over the proliferation of these devices, recognizing them as a major factor in escalating gun violence.
Legal Ramifications of Machine Gun Possession in South Carolina
In South Carolina, it is explicitly unlawful for a person to store, keep, possess, or have in possession a machine gun or a firearm commonly known as a machine gun, military firearm, sawed-off shotgun, or sawed-off rifle. Violations of these State-level gun laws, as outlined in SC Code § 16-23-260, are classified as felonies. Upon conviction, individuals can face significant penalties, including fines of up to ten thousand dollars or imprisonment for up to ten years, or both. Federal law also classifies a handgun with a “Glock switch” attached as a machine gun, making its possession illegal for civilians under most circumstances.
The Solicitor’s Office in this case emphasized their commitment to holding individuals accountable for possessing illegal automatic weapons, which present a serious risk to public safety. The ease with which criminals can convert a handgun into an automatic weapon with these concealed and inexpensive modifications makes them particularly dangerous, prompting vigorous prosecution of such cases.
Ongoing Efforts Against Illegal Firearms
The sentencing of Emmanuelle Hargrove Jr. highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and judicial systems to combat the spread of illegal firearm modifications. Agencies are increasing surveillance of online markets, collaborating with technology companies to monitor 3D printing blueprints for these devices, and dedicating more resources to tracking illicit firearms trafficking. The goal is to remove these dangerous weapons from circulation and enhance community safety by deterring their possession and use.
While South Carolina has seen recent changes to its gun laws, including “constitutional carry” legislation in 2024 that allows eligible individuals to carry firearms openly or concealed without a permit in many locations, the laws regarding illegal modifications like machine gun “switches” remain strict. The possession of such devices is a severe felony, underscoring the legal system’s stance against weapons that significantly escalate the potential for violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was sentenced to prison in the Beaufort area for a ‘switch’ handgun?
A: Emmanuelle Hargrove Jr., 25, a Ridgeland man, was sentenced to six years in prison.
Q: What was Emmanuelle Hargrove Jr. convicted of?
A: He pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun.
Q: When did the sentencing occur?
A: The sentencing occurred on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Q: Where was Emmanuelle Hargrove Jr. arrested?
A: He was arrested in the Beaufort area.
Q: What is a ‘switch’ handgun?
A: A ‘switch’ handgun refers to a semi-automatic handgun modified with an illegal device (a “switch”) that allows it to fire automatically, effectively turning it into a machine gun.
Q: What are the penalties for possessing a machine gun in South Carolina?
A: Under State-level law (SC Code § 16-23-260), possession of a machine gun is a felony, punishable by fines of up to ten thousand dollars or imprisonment for up to ten years, or both.
Q: How was the ‘switch’ handgun discovered?
A: A Beaufort Police officer discovered a Glock 31 handgun with the illegal modification during a traffic stop for a non-specific violation, after smelling burnt marijuana and conducting a probable-cause search of the vehicle.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Defendant | Emmanuelle Hargrove Jr., 25, Ridgeland man | Local |
| Offense | Possession of a machine gun (modified handgun with a ‘switch’) | Local, State-level, Nationwide |
| Sentence | Six years in prison | Local |
| Location of Arrest | Beaufort area, South Carolina | Local |
| Date of Sentencing | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | Local |
| Nature of ‘Switch’ Device | Illegal modification converting semi-automatic handgun to fully automatic | Nationwide |
| South Carolina Law | SC Code § 16-23-260 classifies possession of a machine gun as a felony with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine. | State-level |
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