Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Machinegun After High-Speed Chase

Jackson, MS – 22-year-old Kylin Demond Russell of Jackson has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a machinegun after a high-speed chase through the streets of Jackson. Russell’s vehicle was found to contain two Glock pistols with attached machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), also known as “switches” or “auto sears,” which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons in a matter of seconds.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that Russell’s guilty plea comes as an alarming increase in cases involving MCDs has been reported. According to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, there was a 570% increase in the number of MCDs collected by police departments between 2017 and 2021. The possession of an MCD can result in up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Russell’s high-speed chase began on February 9, 2024, when he failed to yield for a traffic stop. Capitol Police officers pursued Russell’s vehicle, reaching speeds of up to 120 mph, before it was eventually stopped. Russell attempted to flee on foot, but was detained. During a search of the vehicle, two Glock pistols with attached MCDs were found. The vehicle was later identified as matching the description of a vehicle seen in a video taken by a citizen and widely distributed online, showing a person firing a weapon from the vehicle.

Russell was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 21, 2024, and will be sentenced on August 2, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen is prosecuting the case, with the support of the ATF and Capitol Police.

The case is part of Operation Unified and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a coordinated effort between state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime in the community. The PSN Program is a proven strategy that focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement, emphasizing the danger posed by MCDs to both the public and law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.