TALLAHASSEE, FL – Garret D. Hodnett, 34, of Tallahassee, is facing a decade behind bars after being sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for a prolific operation manufacturing illegal machineguns. The sentence, handed down Wednesday, follows Hodnett’s guilty plea to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, manufacturing unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons, and possessing an illegal machinegun. Federal prosecutors say Hodnett wasn’t just tinkering – he was actively supplying dangerous weaponry.
The ATF’s investigation began after recovering two modified short-barreled rifles capable of fully automatic fire. Tracing the origin of these weapons led investigators directly to Hodnett. They quickly discovered he wasn’t a first-time offender, and had a history of run-ins with the law. He was already a suspect in two separate incidents in July 2022: the shooting of a dog in Gadsden County and a firearm-related threat in Tallahassee. The dog shooting, in particular, sparked the initial probe, and a shell casing found at the scene ultimately matched a handgun recovered from Hodnett’s residence.
On August 10, 2022, a joint operation between the ATF and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office raided Hodnett’s home. The search uncovered a veritable armory of illegal components, including a modified AK-47-style rifle configured to function as a machinegun, along with a high-capacity drum magazine. This wasn’t just a collection of parts; it was a fully functional manufacturing operation, churning out illegal weapons. The fact that Hodnett was already a convicted felon – with a rap sheet boasting six prior felony convictions, including previous firearms offenses – only compounded the severity of the crime.
“Removing manufactured machineguns from the hands of felons and those who supply them directly addresses violent crime and makes our communities safer,” stated U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “With the assistance of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who illegally manufacture and distribute firearms to prohibited persons.” Coody’s statement underscores the federal government’s commitment to cracking down on illegal firearms trafficking, especially in light of rising gun violence across the nation.
ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard echoed Coody’s sentiment. “North Florida is much safer with this violent criminal behind bars,” Howard said. “This complex, year-long investigation ended in a success only because of a hardworking and talented team of agents, local partners and federal prosecutors.” The case highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in dismantling criminal networks and keeping dangerous weapons off the streets. Hodnett’s 120-month sentence will be followed by three years of federal supervised release.
The investigation involved the ATF, Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust between law enforcement and communities, supporting community-based violence prevention programs, and focusing enforcement efforts on the most dangerous offenders.
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