Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Police Chase Involving Machine Gun Possession

Jamal Fleming, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 46 months in federal prison for possessing a loaded machine gun while leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen SUV under the influence of cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Details of the Incident

During the high-speed chase, Fleming crashed the stolen SUV into a utility pole and attempted to evade law enforcement on foot. He was eventually apprehended after becoming ensnared in a fence. This conviction marks Fleming’s third offense related to illegal firearms possession, involving a weapon that had been illegally modified to function as a fully automatic machine gun—a modification that poses a significant risk to public safety.

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Upon his arrest, officers conducted a search and found a key fob connected to the stolen SUV. Inside the vehicle, they discovered a black Glock 29 loaded with 16 rounds of 10mm ammunition. The firearm had been equipped with a “switch,” a device that allows a semi-automatic pistol to operate as a fully automatic weapon capable of rapid fire, along with a laser sight.

Evidence and Prior Convictions

DNA testing confirmed that the firearm belonged to Fleming, establishing a direct link to the weapon. Authorities also discovered that the SUV had been reported stolen just a week earlier from an automotive repair shop in Beltsville, Maryland. This incident highlights an ongoing trend of vehicle thefts associated with illegal firearms trafficking.

In December 2022, Fleming had previously been sentenced to five years in prison, with all but one year suspended, in addition to three years of supervised probation. At the time of his most recent arrest in October 2023, Fleming was still on probation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Conclusion

Fleming’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of illegal firearms possession and the risks posed by modifications that enhance a weapon’s lethality. Law enforcement agencies continue to address the intersection of vehicle theft and gun trafficking to enhance public safety.

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