29-04-2025
Decatur man sentenced to prison for illegal possession of modified gun
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A Decatur man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing a modified firearm despite being a convicted felon.
Court records show that Malik Currie, 27, had four cases open against him with charges that included aggravated battery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, being an armed habitual criminal, being a felon in possession of a machine gun and possession of drugs and controlled substances. Earlier this month, he reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
Elderly woman shot in her bedroom; Danville Police looking for tips
Most of the cases and counts against him were dismissed, but he agreed to plead guilty to a Class X felony of possessing a machine gun as a convicted felon.
An arrest warrant filed in the case showed that on March 14, 2024, Currie had a Glock 23 despite his felony conviction. The Glock had been modified with a switch that enabled it to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger; Glock 23s are designed as semi-automatic weapons, with one round per pull.
Possessing a gun as a felon is normally a Class 3 felony for a first-time offense or Class 2 for repeat offenses. But because of the switch, the Glock was considered to be a machine gun, possession of which is a Class X felony.
Broadwell man arrested in connection with Sangamon Co. hit-and-run crash
Court records show Currie has two prior convictions — both for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon — in 2016 and 2020. He was sentenced to probation and six years in prison, respectively, with the prison sentence being served at 50%.
After his release from prison, Currie found himself on the wrong side of the law again. He had five cases opened against him last year and this year. One of which was dismissed before court proceedings that led to his guilty plea, and the others were dismissed as part of that plea.
Earlier this month, Judge Jeffrey Geisler sentenced Currie to 15 years in prison for his illegal possession of a machine gun. Geisler also found that the crime was committed as a result of substance abuse and recommended abuse treatment while Currie is in prison.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
