Press Release from the U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A Gainesville resident, 21-year-old Jaquan Tyrell Calhoun, has been sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison for possession of a machine gun. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin remarked, “This successful prosecution underscores our commitment to reducing violent crime, as pledged by former President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The collaborative efforts of our state and federal law enforcement have been instrumental in identifying and apprehending dangerous offenders like Calhoun. Our office remains steadfast in prosecuting such crimes to the fullest extent of federal law.”

According to court documents, Calhoun, identified as a gang member, frequently shared images and videos on social media showcasing firearms, including clips of himself firing machine guns. On April 21, 2024, Calhoun and his co-defendant, Lagarius Johnson, live-streamed themselves flaunting cash and firearms. In the video, Calhoun displayed a Glock pistol modified with a machine gun conversion device. Later that evening, Johnson was apprehended while in possession of the illegally modified Glock, verified to be a machine gun.

Lagarius Johnson received a sentence in August exceeding 35 years in federal prison.

“Calhoun’s decision to flaunt a machine gun on social media highlighted the recklessness that endangers our communities,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “This sentencing demonstrates our commitment to working side by side with our federal and local partners to stop violent and organized criminal activity in our communities.”

“The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in our commitment to combat gun violence in our community by working closely with our state and federal partners to locate and apprehend criminals like Jaquan Calhoun — individuals who have no business possessing a firearm, let alone one illegally modified into a deadly automatic weapon,” stated Sheriff Chad Scott, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

The case involved an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Eric W. Welch prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.