FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2026
Proactive LPD Patrol Seizes Fully Automatic Firearms
Lynchburg, VA – At approximately 2:00 a.m. on July 5, 2026, the Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) was conducting proactive patrols in the area of Hollins Mill Road.
LPD officers observed a sedan driving without any headlights on. Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle which contained four occupants. During the stop, and ongoing investigation, officers determined that one of the passengers was concealing a rifle.
As a result of this proactive patrol, officers seized three firearms: a rifle and two handguns with automatic sears. These auto sears or switches, are not only illegal, but incredibly dangerous. The auto sear modifies a weapon from semi-automatic into fully automatic.
Three of the four occupants were taken into custody without incident and charged, including one adult and two juveniles. The fourth passenger was not charged at the scene.
Ja’kale Liggon, 18, of Lynchburg was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, concealment of a firearm, possession of alcohol container by a person under 21, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
A juvenile was charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of auto sears, possession of a firearm by a minor, and City-Wide Youth Curfew ordinance violation.
A juvenile was charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of auto sears, possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and City-Wide Youth Curfew ordinance violation.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Lynchburg Police Department or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Tips can also be submitted online at p3tips.com. Any additional information will be released as an update to this release.