A Jacksonville man with a history of felony convictions is facing up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of firearm possession. Markee Washington, 33, entered his plea for possessing a machinegun as a convicted felon, according to a release by the United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
The federal case unraveled on the night of February 11, 2023, when Washington was pulled over by the Florida Highway Patrol for a routine traffic stop, a search prompted by his admission of recently smoking marijuana and the resulting odor led to a more incriminating discovery. Officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office found a Glock pistol with a "Glock-switch," capable of converting the weapon into a machinegun, as they searched his car. The Department of Justice reported that along with the firearm, Washington was also carrying a small amount of marijuana and over two thousand dollars in cash.
Investigations found Washington’s DNA on the weapon and ammunition. A search warrant confirmed this link. Washington’s criminal record, including drug trafficking, makes it illegal for him to have a firearm. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which aims to improve communities, support violence prevention, and focus enforcement where it’s needed.
