Grimy Times
COLUMBUS, Ga. – In a move aimed at reducing violent crime, Tyquerrious Ford, 23, of Columbus, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for the illegal possession of a machinegun.
On May 3, U.S. District Judge Clay Land handed down the sentence, which will be followed by three years of supervised release. Ford pleaded guilty to the crime on Dec. 20, 2022. This is a stark reminder that it is illegal for felons to possess firearms, let alone machineguns with extended magazines.
The case began on April 24, 2022, when Columbus Police Department officers observed Ford traveling on Dawson St. in Columbus with multiple traffic violations. He did not immediately stop and when he did, he did not have a license and attempted to walk away from the officers and was detained. Shaw, who was a passenger, leaned against the door to prevent the officer from accessing the vehicle, then got out of the car and fled the scene.
Officers found a loaded Glock Model 17 pistol with an extended 31-round magazine in the driver’s seat belonging to Ford. The firearm had been illegally modified with an automatic selector switch, also known as a “Glock switch,” allowing the operator of the firearm to continuously fire bullets with one pull of the trigger. In the passenger seat of the vehicle, there was a green bookbag containing a stolen Springfield XD semiautomatic pistol belonging to Shaw.
On July 22, 2022, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and FBI agents located Shaw seated inside a car in the parking lot of the AutoZone on Buena Vista Road in Columbus. He was quickly detained; officers found a loaded Del-Ton 5.56 semiautomatic rifle with two 30-round magazines taped together containing a total of 37 rounds in both magazines belonging to Shaw.
“It is illegal for felons to possess firearms, let alone machineguns with extended magazines,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI are committed to bringing federal resources to bear in our close partnership with the Columbus Police Department and Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office.”
The case was investigated by FBI, CPD and MCSO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams prosecuted the case for the government.
Related Federal Cases
- Maurice A. Ridley, Illegal Firearm Possession, Georgia 2020 · Georgia
- Malik Havier McKenzie, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Maurice A. Ridley, Illegal Firearm Possession, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Joshua Bowser, Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Georgia 2022 · Georgia
- Teranee Millet, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Destructive Device, California 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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