46-Month Sentence for Man Caught with Machine Gun During Police Chase
Jamal Fleming, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for possessing a loaded machine gun while leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen SUV under the influence of cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Details of the High-Speed Chase
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that during the chase, Fleming crashed the stolen SUV into a utility pole. Following the crash, he attempted to flee from officers on foot but became ensnared in a fence and was subsequently taken into custody.
Previous Offenses and Weapon Modifications
This conviction marks Fleming’s third offense related to illegal firearms possession. The weapon involved was a modified Glock 29, equipped to function as a fully automatic machine gun, an illegal modification that poses a significant risk to public safety.
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Discovery of the Weapon
Upon arrest, officers searched Fleming and found a key fob linked to the stolen SUV. Inside the vehicle, they discovered the Glock 29 loaded with 16 rounds of 10mm ammunition. Notably, the firearm had been outfitted with a “switch,” a device that converts a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic weapon capable of rapid fire. Additionally, the gun was equipped with a laser sight.
DNA Evidence and Vehicle Theft
DNA testing later confirmed that the firearm belonged to Fleming, establishing a direct link to the weapon. Authorities also noted that the SUV had been reported stolen just a week earlier from an automotive repair shop in Beltsville, Maryland, highlighting a concerning trend in vehicle thefts associated with illegal firearms trafficking.
Prior Sentencing and Probation Status
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Fleming was previously sentenced on December 12, 2022, to five years in prison, with all but one year suspended, and three years of supervised probation. At the time of his most recent arrest in October 2023, Fleming was still on probation.
