Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession, Faces 15 Years in Prison

Markee Washington, 33, has admitted to being in possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, as per the State Attorney’s Office. This admission follows an incident that occurred on February 11, 2023, during a traffic stop conducted by Florida Highway Patrol troopers on the vehicle Washington was driving. The stop involved the participation of two officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO).

Traffic Stop Revelation

During this traffic stop, law enforcement officers detected the odor of marijuana, allegedly confirming Washington's admission of having smoked the substance. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded the discovery of a 9mm Glock pistol, which was found to be fully loaded with 32 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, a substantial sum of cash was also uncovered in the vehicle.

Notably, the 9mm Glock pistol was equipped with a Glock-switch, a modification that enables the firearm to operate as a fully automatic weapon, akin to a machine gun. Furthermore, a DNA test later corroborated Washington's presence on the pistol and ammunition, by confirming the presence of his DNA.

Prior Convictions and Legal Consequences

At the time of the incident, Washington had a prior record of multiple felony convictions, particularly related to drug trafficking offenses. Under the law, as a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to possess firearms and ammunition. Washington now faces a severe legal consequence, with a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for his actions.