Two traffic stops in Huntsville led to charges involving devices that can convert firearms to automatic fire, part of a three-day police operation that resulted in nine arrests and the recovery of 19 guns.
The Huntsville Police Department conducted the operation Oct. 16-18, working with law enforcement agencies across North Alabama. Police also confirmed that two of the recovered firearms were stolen.
Three of the 19 guns had devices or modifications designed to allow automatic fire, according to HPD.
The arrests included several cases involving traffic stops and vehicle pursuits, along with an incident in which officers encountered an armed man on Poole Drive.
Maurice Ty’quavis Jessiah Hewlett Jr., 18, of Huntsville, was arrested Oct. 16 during a traffic stop and charged with two counts of possession of a machine gun conversion device. A 17-year-old male juvenile arrested during the same stop was charged with minor in possession of a firearm.
The following day, officers arrested Ra’Keem Ramond Parks, 18, of Birmingham, after recovering a firearm equipped with a machine gun conversion device during another traffic stop. He was charged with possession of a machine gun conversion device.
Two vehicle pursuits also resulted in arrests.
Jaquavion Demond Hamlett, 20, and Kamron Javier Leamon, 19, both of Huntsville, were arrested Oct. 17 after a pursuit on Hall Avenue. Hamlett was charged with felony attempting to elude. Leamon was charged with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. Investigators said pending violent felony charges from an earlier arrest barred Leamon from having a gun.
A pursuit the next day led to the arrests of Kejuan Jabray Lamb-Gregg, 18, of Adamsville, and Rodrickus Bernard Jones, 18, of Birmingham. Lamb-Gregg faces charges of felony attempting to elude, reckless endangerment and second-degree receiving stolen property. Jones was charged with second-degree receiving stolen property.
The other cases included a traffic stop by Madison County sheriff’s deputies on Oct. 16. Deputies recovered an AK-style pistol from Laron Anthony Coley, 24, of Huntsville. He was charged with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. HPD said pending violent felony charges from a previous arrest prohibited him from possessing one.
On Oct. 18, officers arrested Mondarius Javeze Thompson, 24, of Huntsville, after observing him armed with a handgun in the 2000 block of Poole Drive. No injuries were reported. Thompson was charged with menacing.
HPD’s Anti-Crime Team led the operation, joined by the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center, North Alabama Drug Task Force and the department’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit. The Owens Cross Roads Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also took part.
Police Chief Kirk Giles said the department is working to address gun violence before it results in injuries or deaths.
“We are not waiting for gun violence to happen before taking action,” Giles said. “By working together, our local, state and federal partners can identify criminal activity, remove illegally possessed firearms and take proactive steps to prevent violence in our community.”
Several cases remain under investigation, including potential federal violations. HPD said additional charges could be considered as investigators review the cases.
Zachary Austin is a writer for 256 Today. You can contact him at [email protected].
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