46-Month Sentence for Man Caught with Machine Gun During Police Pursuit
Jamal Fleming, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court 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 and then attempted to flee from officers on foot. He was ultimately ensnared in a fence and taken into custody.
Previous Offenses and Illegal Modifications
This conviction marks Fleming’s third offense related to illegal firearms possession. The weapon in question was modified to function as a fully automatic machine gun, a dangerous illegal modification that poses heightened risks to public safety.
Discovery of the Firearm
Following his arrest, officers searched Fleming and discovered a key fob connected to the stolen SUV. Inside the vehicle, they found a black Glock 29 loaded with 16 rounds of 10mm ammunition. The firearm had been equipped with a “switch,” a device that converts a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic weapon capable of rapid-fire. Additionally, the gun was outfitted with a laser sight.
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Forensic Evidence and Vehicle Theft
DNA testing later confirmed that the firearm belonged to Fleming, linking him directly to the weapon. Authorities also uncovered that the SUV had been reported stolen just a week earlier from an automotive repair shop in Beltsville, Maryland. This incident highlights a concerning trend in vehicle thefts associated with illegal firearms trafficking.
Prior Sentencing and Probation Status
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on December 12, 2022, Fleming was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but one year suspended, along with three years of supervised probation. At the time of his most recent arrest in October 2023, Fleming was still on probation.
