Atlanta, GA
Atlanta rapper convicted for bringing illegally modified machine gun into hospital
MCA – A Henry County man pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun after he was found with a stolen, illegally modified firearm inside a hospital’s labor and delivery unit, federal prosecutors said.
Terrell Monquez Searcy, 21, of McDonough, Georgia, admitted to the charge in U.S. District Court on March 20 before Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self.
Gun discovered in hospital room
What we know:
On Aug. 17, 2023, Monroe Police Department officers responded to Piedmont Walton Hospital after a nurse reported seeing Searcy with a handgun in a labor and delivery room, where weapons are prohibited. When security arrived, Searcy admitted to having the firearm and revealed that he had hidden it under a couch cushion.
Security personnel took possession of the weapon and identified an auto sear attached to the rear of the slide, prompting a call to law enforcement. Officers later determined the firearm had been reported stolen in Walton County, Georgia. Searcy was taken into custody.
Who is rapper Quez 2RR
Dig deeper:
Investigators linked Searcy, who performs as rapper Quez 2RR, to other firearms through his social media presence. In a YouTube music video titled “Traffic,” he is seen with a pistol that appears to be fitted with a machine gun conversion device. The lyrics reference the weapon: “I pop out a switch on the back of my Glock” and “I put a switch on the back of my Glock, just to clean up the street when it’s time for that action.”
Following Searcy’s federal indictment in August 2024, authorities discovered Instagram messages between him and a female officer with the Clayton County Police Department. Between January and March 2023, Searcy asked the officer to check if he had outstanding warrants. The officer also provided information on an active homicide investigation.
During an interview with Clayton County detectives, the officer admitted to giving Searcy details about the case and informing him of any active warrants in his name.
On Feb. 11, 2025, federal and local law enforcement executed a search warrant at Searcy’s McDonough residence. Officers found multiple firearms, including a Draco firearm Searcy said he kept under his bed. Test-firing of the weapons linked a Micro Draco found in his bedroom to multiple shooting incidents.
Ballistic analysis connected the weapon to a drive-by shooting in DeKalb County where four people, including two juveniles, were shot inside their homes. The shootings occurred just days after Searcy had received information from the Clayton County officer regarding the active homicide case in which his friend had been killed.
Terrell Monquez Searcy’s conviction
What they’re saying:
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka of the ATF emphasized the dangers posed by such weapons. “Machine gun conversion devices enable a conventional semi-automatic pistol to function as a fully automatic firearm, which is illegal,” he said. “Anyone possessing these illegal machine gun conversion devices will be facing felony charges. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep them off our streets.”
“All those found in possession of machine guns and with illegal conversion devices in the Middle District of Georgia will be held accountable for breaking federal law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “This case exemplifies how law enforcement effectively engages to remove illegal firearms from the streets and hold criminals accountable as we work together to make our communities safer.”
What’s next:
Searcy is scheduled for sentencing on June 4 in Athens. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Source: The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Georgia provided the details and quotes for this article.
Atlanta, GA
Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions
The Philadelphia 76ers (14-10) and Atlanta Hawks (14-12) meet Sunday. Tip-off from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is set for 6 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the 76ers vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Hawks lead 1-0
The 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 115-105 Friday, covering as 5-point home favorites with the Under (221) cashing. C Joel Embiid led the team with 39 points on 12-for-23 shooting. Philadelphia has found its rhythm, winning 4 of its last 5 games while going 3-2 against the spread (ATS). It is 14-9-1 ATS on the season.
The Hawks lost to the Detroit Pistons 142-115 on Friday, failing to cover as 7-point road underdogs as the Over (233) hit. G Nickeil Alexander-Walker led all scorers with 22 points and 4 made 3-pointers. Atlanta, after a 10-5 November, has gone just 1-4 in its last 5 games, covering 3 times in that stretch. It is 14-12 ATS on the season.
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76ers at Hawks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:54 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): 76ers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Hawks -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread: 76ers +4.5 (-105) | Hawks -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
76ers at Hawks key injuries
76ers
- C Joel Embiid (knee) questionable
- G Tyrese Maxey (illness) doubtful
- G Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) out
- F Trendon Watford (adductor) out
Hawks
- G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) questionable
- C Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out
- G Trae Young (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
76ers at Hawks picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 114, Hawks 111
BET 76ERS (+155).
The Hawks have fallen off a cliff, and their defense has gone with them. They are 1-4 over their last 5 outings and have allowed at least 123 points in 5 of their last 8 games. Their offense hasn’t matched that shortcoming, scoring 100 points or fewer in 2 of their last 5 contests.
The 76ers, on the other hand, are surging, and their defense has been much improved from earlier in the season. They have held 4 of their last 5 opponents to 105 points or fewer and haven’t given up more than 112 points in December (through 5 games). Philadelphia has won 3 straight on the road.
Take 76ERS (+155).
PASS.
The preferred option is the moneyline, thanks to the enhanced odds. The spread is also playable, particularly with the 76ers.
BET UNDER 226.5 (-110).
The 76ers have gone Under in 5 straight games, and while their defense has stepped up, they have scored 116 points or fewer in their last 4 contests. They are 11-13 O/U on the season.
The Hawks are 3-2 O/U in their last 5 games, largely due to their weak defense, which is less likely to be exploited given that the 76ers rank 20th in pace. Expect a slower-tempo game and take UNDER 226.5 (-110).
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Atlanta, GA
Starters Braves Have on Their Radar, Top Prospects in Play
The Atlanta Braves have locked down two free agents. One bolstered the bullpen while the other diversified their options on the offense. Now, from what we’re hearing, the attention has turned to fortifying the rotation.
We are gaining an idea of who the Braves are targeting on the starting pitching market. Framber Valdez and Michael King appear to be the top two free-agent options they’re taking a look at, per source. The goal would be to land one of the two. How far along any potential talks are or if they’re currently talking at all is unclear. We just know now that these two are preferred targets.
Previous reports said that the Mets and Giants had previously chatted with Valdez. King is on the radar of the Tigers and Cubs. There are contenders in play for these same guys.
Signing a free agent is their plan A for acquiring starting pitching depth. What we are hearing confirms the willingness to cough up a draft pick to make a big signing. Both have a qualifying offer attached to them.
That being said, they are willing to go out on the trade market if needed and in a specific circumstance. Plan B is to make a deal for Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.
The 2025 All-Star has been rumored to be a trade candidate since the start of the offseason. What we are hearing lines up with previous speculation as to the type of moves the Braves could make. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden suggested the Braves make a move for Peralta, and part of that suggestion included a potential trade piece that would likely be dealt in this scenario.
The Brewers would likely want to make the centerpiece of the return the Braves’ No. 2 prospect, JR Ritchie. However, the Braves would likely prefer to hang onto Ritchie. They see him as a key piece of their future. They would likely prefer to make the centerpiece of the deal Hurston Waldrep, who showed significant promise once she was called up toward the end of last season.
Another player would likely be dealt along with one of the two names. The Braves would like to know whether an extension would be in play. They wouldn’t want to make the move for strictly a rental.
However, the Brewers want to get a trade done during the offseason. If he’s on the roster during the regular season, it would put them in a bind. They don’t see him as someone they’ll be able to keep around, but if they’re contending, they can’t trade him at the deadline. He would have to stick around for a push, and then he would walk.
Meanwhile, the Braves are pushing to have a top-five payroll in the league for next season. That puts them in the position to take on one of the two possible free-agent signings or take on a contract extension in a potential trade.
More From Atlanta Braves on SI
Atlanta, GA
2 Dead In Fiery Crash On Interstate 75 In Atlanta
ATLANTA, GA — Two people are dead following a fiery crash on Interstate 75 in Atlanta, according to police.
The crash occurred shortly before 3:15 a.m. Saturday on southbound I-75 near Cleveland Avenue Southwest. According to police, a Kia Sportage was traveling on I-75 when the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to exit at Cleveland Avenue.
Police said the vehicle left the roadway, hit a pole and subsequently caught fire.
Two unidentified occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators with the Atlanta Police Department Accident Investigations Unit responded to the scene to determine what led to the crash. The investigation into the collision is ongoing.
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