Mobile man sentenced to over 12 months in prison for illegally possessing a machinegun (DOJ)

MOBILE, AL - A Mobile man was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for illegally possessing a machinegun.

According to court documents, on February 16, 2026, Mobile Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Braedan Matthew Thomas, 20, for possessing a machinegun-conversion device. Earlier that day, a photo and video were posted on social media showing Thomas lying flat on his back with his arms outstretched and his shoes removed and placed on the ground near his feet. Thomas was surrounded by a group of individuals, some of whom appeared to be laughing. The scene was consistent with mocking an individual who had been killed the previous night, February 15, 2026, and much of the display appeared consistent with details surrounding that individual's death. Based on the background, the video appeared to have been recorded in downtown Mobile.

On February 16, MPD officers were conducting increased patrols in and around downtown Mobile as part of heightened law enforcement presence during Mardi Gras parades and festivities. A few hours after the social media posts were made, officers approached Thomas in downtown Mobile to further investigate. Officers found Thomas in possession of a Glock handgun affixed with a machinegun-conversion device.

Thomas was indicted for possessing a machinegun and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge. United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Thomas to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing the machinegun.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Mobile Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.