North Little Rock, Arkansas – A North Little Rock man will spend the next decade and a half behind bars after admitting to possessing a firearm despite a long history of violent convictions.
Federal authorities announced that Shabazz Naeem Caradine, 35, of North Little Rock, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges involving illegal firearm possession. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and was handed down by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
Caradine, who has multiple prior felony convictions, was sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun, two serious federal offenses that carry significant prison penalties.
Bicycle Stop Leads to Discovery of Illegal Machinegun
According to court records and the investigation, the incident that led to Caradine’s arrest began during the night of August 16, 2024, when officers with the North Little Rock Police Department noticed him riding a bicycle in an unsafe manner.
Police observed Caradine traveling along Highway 161 in North Little Rock while riding his bicycle in the roadway without a red light on the back, which is required for safety during nighttime travel. Officers decided to stop him in order to warn him about the dangers of riding without proper equipment.
When officers began speaking with Caradine, they quickly noticed behavior that raised concerns. According to the investigation, Caradine appeared extremely nervous and was sweating heavily, crouching down, and becoming agitated while officers spoke with him.
As officers attempted to conduct a pat-down for safety, the situation suddenly escalated. Caradine ran from the officers on foot, prompting a brief chase.
While he was fleeing, officers saw Caradine drop a Glock 19 9mm firearm. The weapon, investigators later discovered, had been modified with a machinegun conversion device attached to the rear of the firearm. This device allowed the handgun to fire fully automatic, turning it into a machinegun capable of firing rapidly with a single pull of the trigger.
Officers were able to quickly catch up with Caradine and take him into custody.
During a later interview with law enforcement, Caradine admitted that the gun belonged to him. He also acknowledged that he knew the firearm had a Glock machinegun conversion device attached and understood how the device functioned.
Long Criminal History Leads to Enhanced Sentence
Because of his prior criminal record, Caradine faced much more severe penalties under federal law.
Investigators determined that Caradine has at least three previous convictions for violent felony offenses, which led to his classification as an armed career criminal.
His criminal 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.
A federal grand jury formally charged Caradine with the two firearm offenses. He later pleaded guilty on October 16, 2025, admitting responsibility for the crimes.
Judge Marshall ultimately sentenced Caradine to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also received a 10-year sentence for possession of a machinegun, but the judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time.
In addition to the prison term, the court also ordered three years of supervised release for each count once Caradine completes his prison sentence.
Federal officials noted that there is no parole in the federal system, meaning Caradine will serve the sentence imposed by the court.
The investigation into the case was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the North Little Rock Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
