Special to the News
On Wednesday Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the indictment of a Conecuh County man for possessing machine gun conversion devices, with enhanced charges under Alabama’s Criminal Enterprise Act.
Jalen Demetrius Rodgers, 22, of Repton, was indicted on two counts for the possession or selling of used parts designed to convert pistols into machine guns and did so to benefit a criminal enterprise.
In addition to the conversion devices themselves, the indictment alleges that Rodgers possessed a fully automatic machine gun to protect his trade.
“Gangs and Glock switches are causing mayhem in our communities, and today’s indictment removes a supplier for these deadly devices,” Marshall stated. “The Alabama Criminal Enterprise Act is one of the most robust crime fighting tools in the nation, providing enhanced penalties for gang members and tough mandatory prison time for anyone who possesses or uses a firearm to benefit a gang.”
If convicted, Rodgers faces up to 20 years for possessing the conversion devices and an additional mandatory 30 years for using a fully automatic machine gun to protect his products.
Attorney General Marshall expressed his appreciation for the strong partnerships with the Evergreen Police Department, Conecuh County District Attorney’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Marshall commended the Special Prosecutions Division of the attorney general’s office for prosecuting the case, specifically recognizing Assistant Attorney General Verne H. Speirs and Special Agent Todd Mims for their work in setting up and employing the Alabama Criminal Enterprise Act across the state.
