Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Kalamazoo Man Arrested on Federal Firearm and Drug Offenses
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN —United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Jhontae Kaprice Jamison, of Kalamazoo, has been detained on federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is ten years’ imprisonment, the penalty for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking requires a mandatory sentence of at least five years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
The federal complaint in the case alleges that on January 28, 2021, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) investigators attempted to search Jamison pursuant to a search warrant, but he fled in a car, striking an apartment building to avoid the investigators. Investigators found his car in a parking lot; Jamison fled on foot. Jamison was apprehended a short while later and officers found cocaine base (“crack” cocaine) on his person. Along the path where Jamison ran, officers also found a loaded Walther PPQ 9mm pistol.
At a preliminary examination and detention hearing held today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent found probable cause and ordered that Jamison be detained pending trial.
This case was investigated by KVET, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities in order to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit: https://www.justice.gov/psn.
The charges in a complaint are merely accusations, a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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