GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The streets of Western Michigan are about to feel a heavier federal presence this summer. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten today launched “Safe Summer 2024,” a program promising a full-throttle prosecution of anyone caught with a firearm connected to criminal activity. Forget slaps on the wrist – Totten’s office is vowing to hit these offenders with everything the federal system has to offer.
“Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for youth in America and has inflicted immense trauma on communities across Michigan,” Totten declared. While acknowledging prosecution isn’t a cure-all, he framed the initiative as a necessary step. “Safety is a civil right. Your zip code should not determine whether you can walk down the street without fear of gun fire. My team and our partners will not rest until every person, in every neighborhood, in every community is safe from violence.” The program, running from Memorial Day to Labor Day, will focus on two key federal offenses: being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing an illegal machine gun.
But it’s not just having a gun; it’s having a “crime gun” – a weapon demonstrably linked to a prior offense. This means investigators will be tracing firearms back to previous incidents, building stronger cases against those who repeatedly put weapons on the streets. The announcement was accompanied by a series of press conferences across the district – Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Grand Rapids – signaling a widespread commitment to the program.
The blueprint for this year’s crackdown was laid last summer with the case of Anthony Clarence Pratt, 24, of Kalamazoo. On August 10, 2023, Pratt bolted from law enforcement attempting to serve outstanding warrants. He didn’t get far. A search revealed a loaded .40 caliber Glock pistol he’d tossed during the chase. But this wasn’t just any handgun. It was equipped with a “switch” – a cheap, readily available device that turns a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machine gun. The weapon also had an extended 17-round magazine and, crucially, was later traced back to a previous crime. The ATF quickly linked the firearm to a prior offense.
On April 30, 2024, U.S. District Judge handed down a 7-year federal prison sentence to Pratt after he was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun. The sentencing memorandum details the gravity of the offense. This case, Totten’s office emphasized, is just the first domino to fall from last year’s program. Many more are still winding their way through the courts.
“Gun violence affects us all,” stated ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is resolute and unwavering in its commitment to aggressively pursue, identify, and prosecute violent criminals, specifically those involved in gun crimes and gang violence.” The ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence and NIBIN capabilities will be crucial in linking firearms to crimes and supporting federal prosecutions. This isn’t a promise of peace, but a declaration of war on those fueling the gun violence epidemic in Western Michigan.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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