EAST ST. LOUIS, IL – Derron Smith-Johnson, 28, is headed to federal prison for 104 months after admitting he possessed a Glock 23 pistol illegally modified with an automatic switch, effectively turning it into a machine gun. The sentence, handed down Tuesday in U.S. District Court, also comes with three years of supervised release, a $200 fine, and $200 in assessments. The case underscores the ATF’s ongoing crackdown on illegal weapon modifications and their connection to violent crime.
Federal investigators linked Smith-Johnson’s firearm to a violent crime spree in February 2022, involving three shootings and a homicide all within a single week. Ballistics analysis confirmed the same gun was used in each incident. The investigation, spearheaded by the Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) in East St. Louis, began to focus on a silver GMC Acadia seen at the crime scenes. Surveillance eventually led agents to an apartment in Belleville, Illinois, known to be frequented by Smith-Johnson.
Agents arrived at the apartment and quickly took Smith-Johnson into custody. A subsequent search, conducted with the homeowner’s consent, uncovered the modified Glock 23 hidden inside an air return vent. The weapon was loaded with a 23-round extended magazine. Investigators also found a 50-round drum magazine filled with ammunition, along with an additional 43 rounds of 357 SIG ammunition stashed in a bedroom dresser. Smith-Johnson’s fingerprints were a match on the Glock, solidifying the connection to the earlier shootings.
“Ballistic evidence can confirm if the same gun is used in multiple instances, and the recovered firearm was used in a week-long, violent crime spree,” stated U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The Public Safety Enforcement Group is working day in and day out to improve protections for the East St. Louis community, and I applaud their efforts.” The case highlights the crucial role of forensic science in connecting firearms to specific crimes and building a case against perpetrators.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Winston emphasized the agency’s commitment to combating illegal firearm modifications. “This sentencing sends a clear message to those that commit crimes of violence and illegally possess and use machine gun conversion devices (commonly referred to as switches), we are tired of it,” Winston said. The investigation utilized the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), allowing agents to quickly compare ballistics data from crime scenes and identify potential matches.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF, PSEG, and the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns prosecuted the case. The 104-month sentence for Derron Smith-Johnson on charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Possession of a Machine Gun serves as a stark warning to others considering similar criminal activity in the region. The ATF’s Kansas City Field Division led the effort, demonstrating a continued focus on reducing gun violence and bringing offenders to justice.
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