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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, District of Columbia.
High-Speed Chase and Arrest
During the chase, Fleming crashed the stolen SUV into a utility pole and attempted to evade officers on foot. However, he became ensnared in a fence and was subsequently taken into custody.
Third Offense for Illegal Firearms Possession
This conviction marks Fleming’s third offense related to illegal firearms possession. The weapon involved was modified to function as a fully automatic machine gun—an illegal modification that poses a heightened risk to public safety.
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Discovery of Firearm and Evidence
Following his arrest, officers searched Fleming 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 was equipped with a “switch,” a device that converts a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic weapon capable of rapid-fire. Additionally, the gun had a laser sight attached.
DNA Evidence and Vehicle Theft Connection
DNA testing confirmed that the firearm belonged to Fleming, directly linking him to the weapon. Authorities also found that the SUV had been reported stolen just a week earlier from an automotive repair shop in Beltsville, Maryland, highlighting a concerning trend in vehicle thefts associated with illegal firearms trafficking.
Previous Sentencing
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on December 12, 2022, Fleming was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but one year suspended, along with three years of supervised probation. At the time of his most recent arrest in October 2023, Fleming was still on probation, the department stated.
