Man sentenced for possessing conversion device during 2024 Tuskegee University shooting

A man from Montgomery who was arrested at the scene of the shooting at Tuskegee University in 2024 has been sentenced to 24 month in prison for being in possession of a machinegun conversion device, said an announcement from U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson. 

Jaquez Kevon Myrick, 25, was sentenced on May 20 and will serve three years of supervised release. He was one of four who were indicted following the shooting, which left one person dead and multiple others injured. 

According to Davidson's announcement Myrick was observed by responding officers moving through a crowd when the shooting. When he was stopped he was searched and found to have had the device, also called a switch, on his person. 

A conversion device or switch that is installed on a semi-automatic gun will enable it to become fully automatic. 

Myrick pleaded guilty to possession of the device on Jan. 29, 2025. 

“This case is yet another example of the danger posed by illegal machinegun conversion devices,” said Davidson. “These devices turn handguns into weapons of war, with no place on our streets or campuses. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and hold offenders accountable.”