Muskegon Heights Man Sentenced For Illegally Possessing Gun As A Felon

        Case Reflects Ongoing Commitment to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence

          GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Dequarius Quitman Day, 32, of Muskegon Heights, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Day’s crime was especially concerning because of his history of domestic violence, including his threatening actions in this case.  He previously pleaded guilty in July 2024.

          “Too many women who crossed Mr. Day’s path lived in fear of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “For the millions of Americans who face domestic violence, an abuser’s access to a gun can mean the difference between life and death. We stand with the victims of domestic violence and will continue to do everything we can to protect them.”

          On December 25, 2023, Day pointed a firearm at the mother of one of his children and threatened to shoot her. While on the phone with 911 requesting assistance, the woman provided the operator Day’s name, a description of his vehicle, a description of the firearm, and informed the operator he had a warrant for his arrest.

          Day fled the scene in a vehicle but soon returned on foot to retrieve his cell phone. At that time, law enforcement placed him under arrest. Day lied to officers, claiming he did not have a vehicle. Law enforcement searched the surrounding area and located his vehicle parked a few blocks away. A loaded Taurus 9-millimeter pistol was found under a seat in the car as well.

          Day had prior felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms and had an active warrant for an alleged assault against the victim’s pregnant sister on December 9, 2023. He has been charged by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office for both the December 9 and December 25 assaults and is presumed innocent of those changes until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

          Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Across the nation and in Michigan domestic violence is a serious threat. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Moreover, studies have shown that domestic violence perpetrators often use firearms to abuse and control their victims, who are five times as likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm.

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan has brought other cases to address the threat of domestic violence, which include the following:

• 8/8/24 – Norton Shores Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking
• 7/18/24 – Two Lansing Men Sentenced on Gun Charges After Threatening Episode with an Assault Rifle at a Convenience Store
• 7/2/24 – Firearms Offender, Prosecuted Under Safe Summer Program, Sentenced to 64 Months
• 3/13/24 – Lansing Man Sentenced for Illegal Gun Possession
• 12/6/23 – Muskegon Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm Linked to a Homicide
• 9/13/23 – Serial Domestic Abuser Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm
• 6/5/23 – Muskegon Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Stalking his Ex-Wife and Possessing Firearms

          In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan recently announced a special partnership with the City of Lansing to address domestic violence in that city as part of a nationwide program.

          Victims of domestic violence who feel they are in imminent danger or fear a threat of harm should call 911.  The following national hotlines are also available to help victims:

• Victim Connect: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 (or text START to 88788)
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

          The Muskegon Township Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexia Jansen is prosecuting it.

          This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn.

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