A Muskegon man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm linked to a homicide in the Muskegon area.
Ricky Jaimal Meeks, 41, of Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He will also serve 3 years on supervised release after his confinement.
Meeks was previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm at a jury trial in May 2023. Evidence presented at trial showed that Meeks possessed the firearm on September 11, 2022, in connection with a domestic assault that occurred at a residence in Lansing.
When police responded to the scene, Meeks fled in a vehicle, leading officers in a high-speed pursuit until he lost control, crashed into a residence, and attempted to flee on foot before he was apprehended. Judge Maloney increased Meeks’ sentence because Meeks obstructed justice when he fled from police.
At sentencing, the United States presented additional incriminating evidence about the firearm Meeks illegally possessed. Investigators compared ballistics evidence from the firearm that Meeks possessed in Lansing to shell casings located at the scene of the October 5, 2021, homicide of Earnest Hardy, which occurred in the City of Muskegon.
Further analysis and ballistics testing confirmed the shell casings recovered at the homicide scene were fired from the firearm Meeks illegally possessed as a previously convicted felon.
The FBI is relentless in its pursuit of ensuring safety for families and communities from gun violence, said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.
Related Federal Cases
- Avis Coward, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2023 · Michigan
- Terrence Terrial Izear Turner, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2023 · Michigan
- Andrial Ched Ortiz, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2024 · Michigan
- Julius Robinson Jr, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2024 · Michigan
- Tom Allen Manuel, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2023 · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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