NORFOLK, VA – Michael Jerrod Scott, 40, of Portsmouth, Virginia, is headed to federal prison for five years after being convicted of possessing multiple firearms and a dangerous machinegun conversion device. The sentence was handed down today by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes, concluding a case that highlights the ongoing struggle to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted criminals.
The bust began June 9, 2022, when law enforcement executed a court-authorized search warrant at Scott’s Portsmouth residence. The search, stemming from a larger narcotics investigation, uncovered more than just drugs. Officers seized three firearms, a cache of magazines and ammunition, approximately six ounces of marijuana and related edible products, and a staggering $2,920 in cash. The investigation quickly revealed Scott wasn’t just dealing weed; he was illegally armed.
What set this case apart was the discovery of a machinegun conversion device attached to one of the firearms. This modification transformed a standard handgun into a fully automatic weapon, violating federal law. Scott’s prior criminal history—including convictions for robbery, use of a firearm in robbery, statutory burglary of a dwelling while armed, use of a firearm in armed burglary, and possession of a Schedule I or II drug—made the firearms possession charge all the more serious.
“This isn’t a case of a first-time offender making a mistake,” said a source close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Scott is a repeat offender with a clear disregard for the law and a history of violence. Putting him away for five years is a step toward protecting the community.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, led by Jessica D. Aber, prosecuted the case alongside Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc West and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Comstock.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, headed by Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai, as well as the Portsmouth and Chesapeake Police Departments, led by Chiefs Stephen Jenkins and Mark G. Solesky, respectively. The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts.
Federal officials emphasized that PSN focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention initiatives, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and rigorously measuring results. Scott’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing firearms, especially by those with prior convictions, will be met with serious consequences. Court documents related to the case, including Case No. 2:23-cr-74, are available on PACER and the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia’s website.
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