News Summary

Malik Javier McKenzie, a 27-year-old Savannah resident, has been convicted on multiple drug and weapon charges following a police chase. He faces a minimum of 30 years in prison after a trial revealed his possession of a Glock handgun with a machinegun conversion device and a fanny pack containing illegal drugs. Law enforcement highlights a rising trend in similar crime incidents across Georgia, emphasizing the dangers of potent substances like carfentanil. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at combating drug trafficking and violent crimes.

Savannah Man Convicted on Multiple Drug and Weapon Charges Following Police Chase

The U.S. District Court has convicted Malik Javier McKenzie, a 27-year-old resident of Savannah, on several drug and weapon charges, announced by the Southern District’s Office on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

The conviction resulted from a two-day trial examining events connected to a traffic stop and a subsequent police chase. Key details of the case include:

• During the attempted traffic stop, McKenzie fled police, leading to a car crash.
• McKenzie attempted to escape on foot, resulting in a physical struggle with law enforcement.
• Law enforcement discovered a Glock handgun in McKenzie’s pants pocket.
• A fanny pack containing illegal substances, including cocaine, fentanyl, carfentanil, and methamphetamine, was retrieved.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) identified that McKenzie’s handgun had a machinegun conversion device, enabling the weapon to operate as a machine gun. Following the trial, he was found guilty of:

• Possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
• Possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Given McKenzie’s previous felony convictions, he is legally barred from owning firearms. Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, indicated McKenzie now faces a minimum penalty of 30 years and a maximum of life in prison. After serving his sentence, he will also undergo a period of supervised release, without eligibility for parole in the federal system.

Law enforcement officials have noted an uptick in the occurrence of machine gun conversion devices in crime scenes across Georgia. Additionally, substances like carfentanil, which is more potent than fentanyl, are associated with increasing overdose fatalities nationwide.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative designed to tackle drug trafficking and violent crime by dismantling criminal organizations and removing illegal weapons from the community.

Community members with concerns about illegal firearms or drug activities are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the ATF for support.

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Additional Resources

• The Georgia Sun
• Wikipedia: Machine Gun
• WBBJ TV
• Google Search: Drug Trafficking
• WTOC
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Drug Trafficking
• Savannah Now
• Google News: Savannah Crime

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