A convicted felon has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device. Jua’Ques Antonio Mitchell, 28, of Birmingham, was sentenced to 70 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in April. According to the plea agreement, the Birmingham Police Department observed several individuals sitting on top of a vehicle openly rolling what appeared to be a marijuana blunt on May 17, 2024. Mitchell was in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
During the encounter, officers recovered a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol equipped with a machine gun-conversion device, commonly referred to as a ‘Glock switch,’ and a loaded Glock magazine. The firearm had been reported stolen in Bessemer, Alabama on October 15, 2023.
Mitchell was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation related to a 2021 attempted murder conviction in Jefferson County, Alabama. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Keown, Sr. prosecuted the case. U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona announced the sentencing, stating that the conviction and sentencing of Mitchell demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to keeping the community safe from violent crime.
The use of a machine gun-conversion device is a serious offense, and the sentencing of Mitchell reflects the severity of the crime. The device can turn a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic one, posing a significant threat to public safety. The conviction and sentencing of Mitchell serve as a warning to others who would consider using such devices.
The case against Mitchell is a reminder of the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Birmingham Police Department worked together to investigate the case and bring Mitchell to justice. The successful prosecution of the case is a testament to the effectiveness of this cooperation.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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