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Memphis Man Gets Nine Years for Shooting at Deputies
MEMPHIS, TN – Jaquan Bridges, 22, is headed to federal prison for nearly a decade after a brazen attack on law enforcement and subsequent conviction for possessing an illegal machinegun. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed the 108-month sentence handed down to Bridges, closing the book on a dangerous and escalating crime spree.
The incident unfolded on February 1, 2022, when a Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted Bridges driving a gray Ford Fusion erratically near I-240 and Walnut Grove, seemingly fixated on his cell phone. As the deputy attempted to signal Bridges to put the phone down, Bridges responded by opening fire on the deputy’s vehicle, striking it multiple times. This wasn’t a simple traffic stop gone wrong; it was a deliberate act of aggression.
Bridges then led deputies on a reckless 10-mile pursuit, weaving through traffic and ultimately crashing into at least three other vehicles before slamming into a concrete barrier at the intersection of I-240 and Highway 385. When authorities finally took him into custody, they recovered a Glock .40 caliber pistol equipped with a “switch” – a device that converts the firearm into a fully automatic machinegun – and an extended magazine. The sheer audacity of possessing such a weapon, and using it against officers, is chilling.
Bridges initially pleaded guilty to possessing a machinegun on February 6, 2024. Senior United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes sentenced him to 108 months in federal prison on September 17, 2024, followed by three years of supervised release. He attempted to appeal, arguing the prosecution violated his Second Amendment rights. The Sixth Circuit, in a ruling filed August 7, 2025, emphatically rejected that claim, upholding both the sentence and the legality of the federal statute prohibiting machinegun possession. This ruling marks the first of its kind by the Sixth Circuit since the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, solidifying the government’s authority to regulate such dangerous weapons.
This case is a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program focused on collaborative efforts between law enforcement and communities to combat violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, prioritizing trust-building, community support, focused enforcement, and measurable results. This conviction sends a clear message: those who endanger public safety with illegal firearms will be held accountable.
The investigation was led by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Kuo successfully prosecuting the case and handling the appeal for the government. Anyone with information regarding violent crime in the Western District of Tennessee is encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or X at @WDTNNews for further updates.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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