Shabazz Naeem Caradine, a multi-convicted felon from North Little Rock, was sentenced on Mar. 9 to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun, according to Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was issued by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
Caradine, age 35, pleaded guilty on October 16, 2025, to two counts: being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun. In addition to the 15-year sentence for the first count, he received a concurrent 10-year sentence for the second count. He will also serve three years of supervised release for each count. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case began after officers with the North Little Rock Police Department observed Caradine riding his bicycle at night without a red light on Highway 161 on August 16, 2024. Officers stopped him to address safety concerns and noticed that Caradine appeared agitated and was sweating heavily. When officers attempted to pat him down, Caradine fled on foot and dropped a Glock 19 handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device that allowed it to fire automatically. After his apprehension, Caradine admitted he had purchased the firearm and knew about its conversion device.
Caradine has at least three prior convictions for violent felony offenses and is classified as an armed career criminal. His record includes convictions for residential burglary, theft of property, aggravated assault, first-degree terroristic threatening, aggravated assault on a family or household member, third-degree domestic battery, and fleeing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with help from the North Little Rock Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster prosecuted the case.
