Convicted felon Malik Javier McKenzie now faces a potential life sentence after a high-speed chase led to the discovery of a machine gun-converted Glock and a fanny pack filled with deadly drugs including fentanyl and carfentanil.
Key Takeaways
- Malik Javier McKenzie, 27, was convicted on drug trafficking charges and illegal possession of a machine gun after a two-day federal trial.
- McKenzie attempted to evade police during a traffic stop, crashed his vehicle, and fled on foot before being apprehended.
- Authorities found a Glock handgun modified with an illegal “Glock switch” conversion device, transforming it into a fully automatic machine gun.
- His fanny pack contained distributable quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, carfentanil, and methamphetamine.
- As a previously convicted felon, McKenzie faces a minimum of 30 years and potentially life in federal prison with no possibility of parole.
Dramatic Chase Leads to Major Drug and Weapons Bust
A 27-year-old Savannah man’s attempt to evade law enforcement has resulted in a conviction that could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life. Malik Javier McKenzie was found guilty after a brief two-day trial in U.S. District Court on multiple serious charges including drug trafficking and possession of an illegally modified machine gun. The case highlights the ongoing battle against the dual threats of illegal firearms modifications and deadly drug distribution in American communities, particularly the devastating impact of fentanyl trafficking.
McKenzie’s fatal mistake began when he attempted to flee from police during a routine traffic stop. Instead of complying with officers, he accelerated away, subsequently crashed his vehicle, and then attempted to escape on foot. This reckless behavior only served to compound his legal troubles, as officers quickly apprehended him and discovered evidence of multiple serious crimes. The dramatic chase and capture demonstrate the increasing desperation of criminals involved in high-level drug trafficking operations.
Deadly Arsenal: Modified Weapons and Lethal Drugs
During the search following McKenzie’s arrest, law enforcement uncovered a particularly disturbing combination of illegal items. Most alarming was a Glock handgun that had been modified with what’s known as a “Glock switch” – a small device that converts a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machine gun capable of firing multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger. This modification is strictly prohibited under federal law and represents a serious escalation in firearm lethality that poses extreme dangers to law enforcement and communities.
Perhaps even more concerning was the contents of McKenzie’s fanny pack, which revealed distributable quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, carfentanil, and methamphetamine. The presence of carfentanil is particularly alarming, as this synthetic opioid is approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine. Just a few grains can be lethal, making it one of the most dangerous substances being trafficked on American streets today. The combination of these deadly drugs with machine gun firepower represents a nightmare scenario for public safety.
Facing Justice: No Parole in Federal System
McKenzie’s conviction carries especially severe consequences due to his prior criminal history. As a previously convicted felon, he was already prohibited from possessing any firearms, let alone a converted machine gun. The jury found him guilty on all counts, including possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possession of a machine gun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. These combined offenses trigger mandatory minimum sentencing requirements under federal law.
The consequences of McKenzie’s actions now mean he faces a statutory minimum penalty of 30 years in federal prison with the possibility of a life sentence. Unlike many state systems, the federal prison system offers no possibility of parole – meaning McKenzie will serve virtually his entire sentence regardless of behavior while incarcerated. This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe penalties awaiting those who combine drug trafficking with illegal firearms, especially when those firearms have been modified to increase their deadly capabilities.
