GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Bilal Rashaad McDaniel, 30, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Gun violence is an epidemic across America and here in Michigan that inflicts immense trauma on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office, together with our law enforcement partners, will not relent in our efforts to hold accountable those few individuals who are driving violence in our communities. Every person, regardless of where they live, deserves to live their life, walk their neighborhood, and play in the park free from the fear of gunfire.”
McDaniel was arrested in October 2023, after officers found two handguns, various ammunition, and narcotics while executing a search warrant inside McDaniel’s home and car. One handgun had an extended magazine attached and had previously been transported across the state line. The other firearm was a crime gun linked to two prior shootings and one homicide, which all occurred in the summer of 2023. The homicide is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. A crime gun is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime. On account of this connection to a previous crime, these guns are often passed around inside and outside of groups. As recently announced, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is running a summer program with other law enforcement partners focused on firearms offenders who carry crime guns.
“Removing violent offenders from our communities is ATF’s highest priority,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “We are proud of our long-standing partnerships in the law enforcement community expanding efforts to disrupt and dismantle these violent criminals.”
This case was prosecuted by United States Attorney LaToyia Carpenter and investigated by the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
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U.S. Department
of Justice
