A man from Rock Island has been sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a machine gun. According to court documents and evidence presented during sentencing, Juwan Attron Johnson, 28, also known as “Chubbs,” was found in February 2025 with a machine gun conversion device. These devices, often called “switches,” can turn a semi-automatic firearm into one that fires multiple shots with a single trigger pull. Under federal law, these conversion devices are considered machine guns and are illegal to possess.
Johnson is prohibited from having firearms or ammunition due to his status as a felon, which includes a previous conviction for voluntary manslaughter in 2017. After serving his prison sentence, Johnson will be on supervised release for two years. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The Davenport Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The program’s strategy includes building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, focusing enforcement efforts strategically, and tracking results. More information about PSN can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
