A federal jury has found Malik Jones-Smith, 30, of Muskegon, Michigan, guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The verdict was announced by Timothy VerHey, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.
The conviction stems from an incident on December 28, 2024, when Jones-Smith and another individual fled from police after a shooting in Muskegon Heights. Authorities recovered a stolen pistol near the van used to escape the scene. A search of Jones-Smith’s cell phone revealed he had posted a video on Snapchat less than ten hours before the incident with the same firearm. Further evidence from his phone indicated that both he and his passenger were involved in the shooting.
At the time of this offense, Jones-Smith was on federal supervised release following a prior conviction for distributing fentanyl. He had been released from federal custody only sixteen days before possessing the firearm.
“Gun violence destroys communities,” said United States Attorney Timothy VerHey. “My office remains committed to prosecuting individuals who illegally possess firearms and threaten public safety.”
Muskegon Police Chief Tim Kozal commented on the collaboration among agencies: “The Muskegon Police Department is committed to ensuring that everyone can live without the threat of gun violence. This conviction through the collaboration with the United States Attorney’s office in conjunction with the FBI and ATF strengthens that commitment.”
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, added: “This conviction reinforces FBI Detroit’s commitment to stopping habitual violent offenders, such as Malik Jones-Smith, from inflicting further harm on our Michigan communities. I want to thank the FBI Grand Rapids Resident Agency, Muskegon Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Muskegon Major Case Initiative (MMCI), which includes the Michigan State Police and the Muskegon Heights Police Department. These agencies played a critical role in removing this dangerous, convicted felon from our streets. I am also grateful for the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan in securing this successful prosecution.”
Jones-Smith is scheduled for sentencing on March 10, 2026. He faces up to eighteen years in federal prison due to his new conviction and violations related to his supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Muskegon Police Department – Muskegon Major Crimes Initiative Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vito S. Solitro and Clay Stiffler prosecuted this case.
