A Michigan man, Juwara Jawan Compton Jr., 32, was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison today for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
This case marks a significant win for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan’s Safe Summer program, which prioritizes the prosecution of firearms offenders carrying illegal guns used in violent crimes.
Compton was arrested last October after an investigation revealed he was in possession of an illegal machine gun – a weapon capable of firing multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger.
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Machine guns are regulated under federal law and generally prohibited from civilian ownership.
“Our Safe Summer 2024 Program is underway right now and we mean what we say: We will federally prosecute all firearms offenders caught with crime guns,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Mr. Compton carried an illegal machinegun equipped with an extended magazine, capable of inflicting mass destruction and senseless trauma. He will likely now serve years more in prison because he was prosecuted under the Safe Summer program. My team and our partners will not rest until every person, in every neighborhood, in every community is safe from violence.”
The Safe Summer program, launched in 2023, aims to curb gun violence during peak summer months when crime rates historically rise. The program focuses on prosecuting individuals caught with “crime guns” – firearms used in the commission of a crime or with a history of involvement in criminal activity.
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This case exemplifies the program’s effectiveness in deterring gun violence and removing dangerous weapons from the streets. The extended sentence imposed on Compton sends a clear message that possessing illegal firearms, especially those with the potential for mass violence, will be met with severe consequences.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with assistance from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Shannon.
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