Machine gun possession case goes to trial

Crittenden County man facing federal charges for having illegal firearm

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

HELENA-WEST HELENA — A Crittenden County man charged in connection with at least two drive-by shootings will go on trial tomorrow in federal court in Helena-West Helena.

Martinez Alexander Jr., 19, faces a charge of possession of a machine gun. He was arrested along with Jaylan Atkins, 21, after a high-speed chase in December 2023 in a stolen vehicle.

Both men were indicted on the machine gun possession charge and connected to several drive-by shootings in which several were wounded and none killed. Both are habitual criminals with lengthy records.