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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Machinegun Possession after High-Speed Chase
Johnny Ragsdale, a 20-year-old Jackson man, has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a machinegun after a high-speed chase and collision with a train car.
According to court documents, Ragsdale was found in possession of an illegal machinegun after an attempted traffic stop on a vehicle in Jackson. He failed to yield to law enforcement and led Capitol Police on a high-speed chase, eventually colliding with a train car on Mill Street.
A Glock pistol was recovered from the vehicle, and a machinegun conversion device, also known as a switch, was attached to the pistol. This type of device is commonly known as a “switch” or “auto sear,” and it converts semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons in a matter of seconds.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has seen an increase in cases involving illegal firearm conversion devices, which present a significant danger to both the public and law enforcement. In fact, a 2023 report by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) showed a 570% increase in the number of machinegun conversion devices taken into ATF custody between 2017 and 2021.
Ragsdale is scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the ATF made the announcement. The ATF and Capitol Police Department are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber S. Jones prosecuting. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in our communities.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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