Five Individuals Sentenced for Possession of Glock Switches and Other Gun Crimes

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Five individuals have been sentenced for possession of “Glock switches” and other gun crimes in the City of Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. 

Donterio Nickson, 23, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 57 months in prison. In April, Nickson pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun conversion device—commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.”  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Keown, Sr. prosecuted the case.

Jahleo Pugh, 20, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 20 months in prison.  In April, Pugh pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius C. Greene prosecuted the case.

Kemontay Smith, 19, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. In April, Smith pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. McComb prosecuted the case.

Markeias Thompson, 19, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. In April, Thompson pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. Assistant U.S. Attorney William R.  McComb prosecuted the case. 

Keyonte Howard, 21, of Tuscaloosa, received 36 months’ probation following his conviction in May for providing false information in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius C. Greene prosecuted the case.

These sentences are the result of collaborative efforts by the ATF, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and Tuscaloosa District Attorney’s Office to identify and focus enforcement on individuals who illegally possess “Glock switches” and firearms in the Northern District of Alabama. 

The cases are 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 of Justice 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.