MOBILE, AL – A reckless pursuit and a desperate attempt to ditch evidence landed Jayden Deonte Cassino, 21, of Semmes, Alabama, a five-year federal prison sentence. Cassino was sentenced Friday for possessing an illegal machinegun while simultaneously peddling narcotics, a combination that caught the attention of both Mobile Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The bust unfolded on June 17, 2021, when Mobile police initiated a high-speed chase of a vehicle carrying Cassino. After a brief but frantic pursuit, the car screeched to a halt on Oak Ridge Court. Cassino, along with other occupants, bailed out and plunged into a nearby wooded area, hoping to lose their pursuers. They failed. Officers quickly apprehended Cassino, but not before he tossed a bag into the undergrowth.
Inside that discarded bag was a stolen Glock .40 caliber pistol, illegally modified with a “Glock switch” – a device that transforms a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machinegun. The weapon also sported a drum magazine packed with 25 rounds. Crucially, Cassino hadn’t registered the weapon with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, making its possession a clear violation of federal law. But the illegal hardware wasn’t the only contraband in the bag.
Alongside the machinegun, officers recovered 21 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of crack cocaine, and 46 grams of marijuana. A digital scale suggested Cassino wasn’t merely a user, but a distributor. A deep dive into Cassino’s cell phone revealed a trove of digital evidence – hundreds of videos, pictures, and messages showcasing his possession of firearms, drugs, and stacks of cash, painting a clear picture of his criminal enterprise.
U.S. District Judge Terry F. Moorer handed down the 60-month sentence. Upon his release from prison, Cassino will face five years of supervised release, including mandatory drug testing and treatment. While spared a financial fine, Judge Moorer ordered Cassino to pay $100 in special assessments. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama announced the conviction, highlighting the collaborative effort between federal and local law enforcement.
The ATF and the Mobile Police Department jointly investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and a significant blow to drug and weapons trafficking in the Mobile area. The case serves as a stark reminder that possessing illegal weapons while engaged in drug trafficking carries severe consequences under federal law.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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