An Ahoskie gang leader has been handed down a 55-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release for his role in illegally selling devices that convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machineguns. Quayshaun Deonte Howington, 33, known by the street moniker "Mad Max," pled guilty to the charge of illegal transfer of a machinegun following an investigation that revealed his operation selling the so-called "switches." This announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar for the Eastern District of North Carolina following the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The investigation, which began in April 2023, was a coordinated effort between the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office and authorities in Ahoskie, aiming to clamp down on the proliferation of these illegal conversion devices. Undercover transactions carried out between April and June of that year allowed law enforcement to successfully purchase multiple switches from Howington. Each of those devices, later analyzed by experts, was identified as a drop-in auto-sear, which has no other purpose but to quickly turn a semi to fully automate guns, as asserted in the court documents. Notably, these auto-sears were manufactured using a 3D printer instead of coming from a licensed firearms producer, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
In a statement highlighting the importance of the case, Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar was firm on the stance against illegal arms modificators, saying, "We will do all we can to keep auto-sears out of the hands of criminal enterprises and those who look to harm the public." He further promised continued efforts alongside state partners to prosecute such cases vigorously, signaling a strong federal posture against gun modification crimes, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office release.
This case underscores a joint determination between federal and local law enforcement entities to uphold public safety by targeting the illegal arms trade. Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes praised the unified effort, stating, "This sentencing is a testament to the dedication and hard work of multiple law enforcement agencies that played a crucial role in the investigation, prosecution, and apprehension of Howington." Asserting the commitment to community safety, he continued, emphasizing the consequences that await those involved in "the sale of illegal narcotics, firearms, and violent crime—we will arrest you, prosecute you, and you will go to prison," indicated by U.S. Attorney's Office.
The successful prosecution of Howington is part of a broader strategy to combat the distribution of illegal firearms and associated crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick prosecuted the case that ultimately led to Howington's conviction and subsequent sentencing, closing a chapter in a concerted effort to stem the tide of gun violence exacerbated by illegally modified firearms.
