Mobile man sentenced for illegally possessing unregistered machine gun: USDOJ

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A Mobile man was sentenced to 57 months in prison for illegally possessing an unregistered machine gun, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Alabama.

Zukinski Marquis Tomon Spelton, 25, was arrested in December 2021 after fleeing from the passenger seat of a car Mobile police were attempting to pull over for a traffic violation.

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Officers saw the impression of a firearm concealed under Spelton’s shirt when he was running away. They were able to take him into custody after a foot chase where Spelton jumped several fences and ran through the backyards of several homes.

Police then found a Glock 9mm pistol equipped with a machine gun conversion device, which is also known as a “Glock switch.” The pistol was fully loaded with a 30-round extension magazine and a chambered round.

Forensic DNA analysis found Spelton’s DNA on the pistol.

A firearms expert test-fired the pistol, which operated as a fully automatic pistol.

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It’s illegal under federal law for any person to possess a machine gun without registering it in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Spelton’s weapon was not registered when he possessed it.

Following his 57-month prison sentence, Spelton will serve a three-year term of supervised release. During this period, he will undergo drug testing and treatment, and he will also receive a mental health evaluation and treatment.

The court didn’t impose a fine, but Senior United States District Judge Callie V.S. Granade ordered Spelton to pay $100 in special assessments and forfeited his pistol and ammunition to the United States.

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