Bloodthirsty Firearms: Two Young Guns Face Federal Prison Terms for Machinegun Possession in Pensacola
Two young men, Kewhan Landrum, 19, and Deyonte’ Betties, 21, from Pensacola, Florida, have been handed down severe sentences after being found guilty of possession of a machinegun. Landrum was sentenced to 36 months, while Betties received a harsher sentence of 40 months in federal prison.
The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, who praised the efforts of law enforcement agencies involved in the case. ‘This is another victory for Operation Take Back America,’ said Heekin, highlighting the Department of Justice’s relentless pursuit of violent criminals.
In October 2024, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized a Glock pistol from Landrum that had been modified with a machinegun conversion device. Further investigation revealed that the weapon was obtained from Betties, who was also in possession of multiple other firearms equipped with similar devices. The duo had been engaged in a dangerous trade of illegal firearms and narcotics.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case as part of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is a significant component of Operation Take Back America, which leverages the Department of Justice’s full resources to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. For more information on this case and other public court documents, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or learn about the office at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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