Related Federal Cases
Kevin Dixon, Machine Gun Possession, Lansing IL, 2024
LANSING, IL – Kevin Dixon, 27, of Midlothian, Illinois, is facing a potential decade behind bars after a federal jury convicted him on charges of illegally possessing a machine gun. The verdict, delivered April 19, 2024, also included a count of illegal possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison, meaning Dixon could face up to twenty years total when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall on September 10, 2024.
The week-long trial in Chicago revealed a chaotic scene unfolding on June 6, 2021. Dixon was found to be in illegal possession of a Glock handgun modified with a “switch” – commonly known as a “Glock switch” – which allowed the weapon to fire in fully automatic mode. The situation rapidly escalated when Dixon crashed his vehicle into another car in Lansing. Instead of stopping, he fled the scene, prompting the victim to pursue him.
According to trial evidence, Dixon then opened fire on the pursuing vehicle before speeding away again. He then blew through a red light, colliding with two other cars before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot. Law enforcement quickly apprehended him, bringing an end to the reckless rampage. The sheer disregard for public safety displayed by Dixon painted a disturbing picture for the jury.
“Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” stated Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. This conviction is a direct result of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy, aimed at targeting individuals who pose a threat to communities like Lansing and beyond. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, alongside law enforcement partners, are actively deploying the PSN program to combat firearm offenses.
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), spearheaded by Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon, and the Lansing Police Department, led by Chief Alfred Phillips. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Illinois State Police, Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, and Illinois Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Totten and Charles Fox prosecuted the case.
Dixon’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by illegally modified firearms and the commitment of federal and local agencies to dismantle the flow of these weapons onto the streets. The case highlights the importance of aggressive prosecution of individuals who choose to endanger public safety with illegal firearms and disregard the law.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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