Trenton Federal Judge Sentenced Two Firearms Traffickers
A federal judge sentenced two men from Virginia to prison terms for trafficking firearms and machine gun possession.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Drug Crime
Lawrence Higgs and Tariq Haywood-Echols were sentenced to prison in Trenton after being convicted of conspiracy to traffic firearms and unlicensed dealing. The two men were found in possession of machine guns and multiple conversion devices.
Why it matters
The case highlights federal efforts to curb the illegal sale and circulation of high-powered firearms and dangerous conversion devices. Law enforcement investigations focused on the pair following controlled purchases of weapons intended for resale.
Lawrence Higgs, 37, received a 150-month prison term, while Tariq Haywood-Echols, 32, was sentenced to 121 months. Both men face an additional three years of supervised release.
The players
Lawrence Higgs
He is a 37-year-old resident of Portsmouth, Virginia, who was convicted of conspiracy to traffic firearms.
Tariq Haywood-Echols
He is a 32-year-old resident of Portsmouth, Virginia, who received a prison sentence for unlicensed firearms dealing.
The details
The defendants, both residents of Portsmouth, Virginia, were arrested after law enforcement conducted controlled firearm purchases from them. Authorities recovered over a dozen weapons and machine gun conversion devices during the course of the investigation.
Timeline
July 2024: Law enforcement initiated an investigation into firearms trafficking.
September 10, 2025: Defendants Higgs and Haywood-Echols were arrested.
September 16, 2026: Lawrence Higgs was sentenced to prison.
September 22, 2026: Tariq Haywood-Echols was sentenced to prison.
Legal Context
The prosecution of machine gun possession reflects the strict federal enforcement standards established by the National Firearms Act. This sentencing follows a pattern of heightened judicial focus on preventing the illicit circulation of automatic weapon technology.
The removal of these individuals from the illicit firearms market aims to improve public safety in the affected jurisdictions. No specific advisories were issued to the public regarding this sentencing.
The takeaway
This case underscores the severe federal penalties associated with the trafficking of illegal conversion devices. Keeping these specialized components off the street remains a primary focus of federal law enforcement.
Further reading
For more information on regional enforcement, visit the Drug Crime section.
