Joshua Michael Jenkins, a 22-year-old resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possessing a machinegun. This announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Court records reveal that on October 30, 2022, Jenkins was involved in a high-speed chase with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol after being stopped for speeding. Jenkins drove at speeds up to 130 miles per hour before exiting the highway and running a red light. His vehicle collided with four others at an intersection. He then fled on foot towards a shopping center while holding a firearm which he pointed at the pursuing trooper. Jenkins was eventually apprehended.
Law enforcement searched a nearby trashcan after a witness reported seeing Jenkins drop something into it. They recovered a Glock model 23 pistol with an affixed machinegun conversion device known as a “Glock Switch.” Further investigation uncovered social media posts showing Jenkins posing with firearms equipped with similar devices and videos indicating automatic weapon fire.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson expressed gratitude to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, and the Huntersville Police Department for their roles in investigating the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William Wiseman prosecuted the case. Wiseman is part of the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and serves as SAUSA in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte under District Attorney Spencer Merriweather’s assignment.
