A Savannah man, Malik Javier McKenzie, was brought to justice following a two-day trial over his involvement with drugs and illegal firearms. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the 27-year-old was convicted on multiple counts, including drug trafficking and possessing a converted machinegun. McKenzie now faces a minimum of 30 years to a possible life sentence, with no chance of parole under the federal system.
McKenzie's run-in with the law started with a high-speed chase after he attempted to evade a routine traffic stop. After crashing his vehicle, he led the police on foot before being apprehended following a struggle. Found on his person was a cocktail of dangerous narcotics such as Cocaine, Fentanyl, Carfentanil, and Methamphetamine, along with a Glock handgun equipped with a "machinegun conversion device," according to the official report from the Department of Justice. The devices render a semi-automatic weapon capable of automatic fire, an illegal modification.
The Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that the substances found in McKenzie's possession included a highly potent and lethal version of Fentanyl - Carfentanil, while the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives identified the illegal modification to the handgun McKenzie carried. With previous convictions under his belt, McKenzie's possession of the firearm violated federal law, further compounding his legal woes. Hinesville Chief of Police Tracey Howard, in a statement obtained by the Department of Justice website, commended the combined efforts of officers, stating, "Due to their hard work and expertise, Mr. McKenzie is being held accountable for his actions."
The rise of machinegun conversion kits in criminal activities has become a growing concern. Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, remarked on the threat they pose and the efforts made to prevent their spread. "Machinegun conversion kits are turning up more and more in our streets and at crime scenes," he told the Department of Justice. Furthermore, DEA Atlanta Division's Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung emphasized the link between firearms, drugs, and violence, reaffirming the DEA's commitment to countering drug trafficking operations and their harmful impact on communities.
The case falls under the broader scope of Operation Take Back America, which aims to dismantle illegal immigration and cartels, and the efforts of Project Safe Neighborhoods to reduce violent crime. The successful conviction of McKenzie exemplifies the coordinated efforts of the ATF, DEA, and local law enforcement in cracking down on individuals involved in illicit activities.
