Memphis Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Possession of a Machinegun

Memphis, TN - A federal judge has sentenced Jaquan Bridges, 22, of Memphis, to 9 years in federal prison for possession of a machinegun. Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren announced the sentence today.

On February 1, 2022, a Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy observed Bridges driving near I-240 and Walnut Grove, traveling slowly while looking at his cell phone. The deputy activated emergency equipment to alert Bridges to put his phone down. Bridges rolled down his passenger-side window and fired gunshots at the deputy's vehicle, striking it several times. Bridges then fled, leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit for 10 miles, before Bridges hit at least three other vehicles and crashed into a concrete barrier. When Bridges was taken into custody, deputies recovered a Glock .40 caliber pistol with an attached machinegun conversion device (known as a "switch") and extended magazine.

On February 6, 2024, Bridges pled guilty to possessing a machinegun. On September 17, 2024, Senior United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes sentenced Bridges to 108 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

"We have a serious gun violence problem in Memphis," said Acting United States Attorney Fondren. "This conviction demonstrates our ongoing commitment to prosecuting violent offenders and bringing to justice those who violate federal firearms laws and endanger our community. Our office will continue to work with the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force and other law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime in our community. The citizens of Memphis and Shelby County deserve to feel safe."

"This conviction is a testament to our deputies' hard work and dedication and to the legal team involved in this case," said Shelby County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner. "Bridges' actions posed a significant threat to our deputy and the community at large. We are grateful for our deputies' swift response and the collaboration with prosecutors that led to this outcome. It sends a strong message that we will not tolerate violence against our law enforcement personnel, and those who engage in such behavior will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our top priority remains our deputies' and citizens' safety. This case underscores the importance of continued support for law enforcement agencies as they work tirelessly to protect our communities. We will continue to strive for justice and ensure that our streets are safe for everyone."

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Acting United States Attorney Fondren thanked Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Kuo, who prosecuted this case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case.

###

For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney's Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.