Hinds Today

A Jackson resident, Johnny Ragsdale, 20, has admitted guilt in the illegal possession of a machinegun following a high-speed pursuit that ended with a collision involving a train car. The plea was entered on October 24, 2024, at the U.S. District Court in Jackson.

Court documents reveal that Ragsdale was apprehended after failing to comply with law enforcement during an attempted traffic stop. The ensuing chase concluded when his vehicle collided with a train car on Mill Street. Authorities recovered a Glock pistol from the vehicle, which had been modified with a machinegun conversion device known as a "switch."

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has noted an uptick in cases involving such devices, which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic firearms rapidly. These modifications pose significant risks to public safety and law enforcement personnel. A report by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) highlighted a dramatic increase—570%—in confiscated machinegun conversion devices between 2017 and 2021.

Ragsdale's sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2025, where he faces up to ten years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district judge who will consider various guidelines and statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson announced the case details. The investigation is being conducted by the ATF alongside the Capitol Police Department, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber S. Jones leads the prosecution.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. Launched on May 26, 2021, this strategy emphasizes trust-building within communities, support for violence prevention programs, strategic enforcement priorities, and results measurement.