Western District of Tennessee

Memphis, TN – Kevin G. Ritz was sworn in September 28, 2022, as United States Attorney for the 
Western District of Tennessee.  In a brief ceremony at the federal courthouse  in  Memphis,  Chief  
U.S.  District  Court  Judge  S.  Thomas  Anderson administered the oath of office, in front of 
Ritz’s family and U.S. Attorney’s Office colleagues. Ritz was nominated by President Joe Biden on 
July 29, 2022, and he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 2022. 
As United States Attorney, Kevin is the chief federal law enforcement officer in West Tennessee.

Ritz stated: “It is an honor to lead the office where I have worked for 17 years.  I’ve dedicated  my career to serving the United States, and I can’t wait to start this next chapter. I want to  thank President Biden for nominating me, the Senate for confirming me, and Congressman Cohen for  recommending me for this position.”

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and our partners to promote and defend the interests  of our country throughout the 22 counties of West Tennessee. We have a lot of work to do, and I’m  ready to get going.”

Kevin G. Ritz is a Memphian who has dedicated his entire career to federal public service. He has  been an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western 
District of Tennessee since 2005.  He started in the narcotics unit prosecuting drug, firearm,  robbery, carjacking, and other offenses. He later held various leadership positions in the office,  including serving as Appellate Chief and Special Counsel for over a decade. He has written more  than 200 appellate briefs and argued 37 cases in the federal courts of appeals.

Ritz has twice served on the Department of Justice’s Appellate Chiefs Working Group. From 2020 to 
2021, he was the Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section, and in 2017 
Ritz was the President of the Federal Bar Association’s Memphis Chapter. From 2008 to 2016, Ritz  was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

Before his tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ritz clerked for Judge Julia S. Gibbons of the 
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Between college and law school, Mr. Ritz  worked for the United States Department of State.

Mr. Ritz received his J.D. from the University of Virginia, his M.S. in Foreign Service from 
Georgetown University, and his B.A. with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, where he  was a Jefferson Scholar. He is a product of Memphis City Schools and graduated from White Station 
High School. He and his family live in midtown Memphis.

###

For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or  cherri.green@usdoj.gov. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.
 

Memphis, TN – Craig Parham, 41, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for drug  trafficking. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, from September 2017 through March of 2020, Craig 
Parham and his co-conspirators formed a group named the Smokey City Bullies or SCB. This group  distributed illegal narcotics in the North Memphis (Smokey City) area of Memphis, TN. Most of these  individuals displayed their affiliation to the Smokey City Bullies through their Facebook accounts.

Furthermore, these Facebook accounts depicted these individuals displaying  SCB memorabilia, inside  of locations where controlled purchases during this investigation have been made, and in front of  other locations where state search warrants have been previously executed. They also posted  photographs of themselves displaying drugs, guns, and cash.

The SCBs primarily sold illegal narcotics out of two residences in Smokey City. The first residence  was a duplex on North Dunlap St., Memphis, TN. The second residence was located on Keel Avenue,  Memphis, TN.  Members of the Smokey City Bullies worked rotating shifts to sell illegal narcotics  to customers at those houses. These residences were around the corner from one another, and their  backyards were adjacent.

This  long-term  investigation involved  confidential  informants, undercover buys, undercover  surveillance, and Facebook search warrants.  Craig Parham participated in the following controlled  buys: On December 19, 2019, Parham possessed in his waistband a revolver when he sold approximately 
54 grams of a cocaine base to an undercover ATF agent. On March 4, 2020, Parham sold approximately 
28 grams of a cocaine base and 14 grams of powder cocaine to an undercover ATF agent inside on Dunlap, Memphis, TN.

Craig Parham pled guilty on May 3, 2022.
On September 15, 2022, U.S. Senior Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Parham to 15 years  imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal  system.

Assistant United States Attorneys P. Neal Oldham and Wendy K. Cornejo prosecuted this case on  behalf of the government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Keatron L. Walls, 37, of Clarksville, Tennessee, has been sentenced to a total of 37  years in federal prison for four counts of kidnapping, one count of interstate stalking resulting  in permanent disfigurement of a victim, and one count of using a firearm to commit interstate  stalking. A federal jury convicted Walls of those offenses after a six-day trial earlier this year. 
 United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on November 23, 2016, Walls drove from Clarksville,  Tennessee to a residence in DeSoto County, Mississippi where his ex- girlfriend lived with several  family members.  Armed with a Norinco AK-47 style automatic rifle, Walls fired at least 10 shots  from the front yard into the home’s living room window. Four of the seven people inside the house  suffered gunshot wounds. One of those victims lost his leg due to the shooting, and another victim  lost a finger. The victims were not able to see the shooter, and Walls fled the scene before law  enforcement arrived. DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department personnel recovered six spent shell casings  outside the house as evidence. Walls presented a false alibi to law enforcement regarding his  whereabouts during the shooting. Law enforcement was able to disprove that alibi through further  investigation.

Less than 18 months later, on April 20, 2018, Walls kidnapped his ex-girlfriend, her five- year-old  daughter, and her boyfriend at gunpoint from their apartment in Memphis, Tennessee. He forced the  victim to drive them in her car to a nearby location, where Walls’s vehicle was parked. He  retrieved an AK-47 style rifle from his car and put it into the trunk of the victim’s car.  After  that, he ordered the victim to drive back to her apartment, where he forced her to lock her  daughter inside the apartment by herself. He then ordered her to drive to a house in Marshall 
County, Mississippi where Walls’s relative lived. During the drive, Walls threatened to kill both victims and hit them with one of his two pistols. When they arrived at the house, Walls forced both victims out of the car,  onto their knees, and fired three gunshots past their heads. After arguing with several family  members about whether he should let the victims go, Walls directed both victims back into the car. 
He forced them to drive into Shelby County, Tennessee, where officers were able to stop the car and  rescue both victims.

Forensic ballistics testing showed that the AK-47 style rifle in the car’s trunk matched the spent  shell casings recovered from the November 23, 2016, shooting in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

"This sentencing demonstrates there is no tolerance for this type of criminal activity and cruel  treatment of victims," said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation Memphis Field Office. "The FBI is committed to working closely with our law  enforcement partners to protect victims and bring those who commit such heinous acts to justice.”

On September 8, 2022, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Walls to a total  of 37 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no  parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s 
Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Memphis Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tony Arvin and Murre Foster prosecuted this case on behalf of the  government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Malik Williams, 26, has been sentencedto 228 months in federal prison for committing  multiple business robberies.  Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence  today.

According to court documents and information in the public record, on June 28, 2019, Malik 
Williams, Decardo Moore, and Joshua Beason robbed multiple Memphis-area gas stations. At  approximately 2 a.m., Williams, Moore, and Beason went to the Murphy Express on Summer Avenue. 
Williams and Beason put a handgun to the side of a store clerk, forced him inside the store, and  threatened the lives of both store clerks. They took money from the register and fled. Moore served  as the getaway driver.

Approximately thirty minutes later, Williams and Beason robbed the Exxon on Summer Avenue. They  brandished firearms and removed the cash drawer before they fled the scene. Moore served as the  getaway driver. Minutes later, the group participated in a home invasion on the 2000 block of West 
Barbara Circle where a resident, Williams and Moore were shot. All three survived. Charges for the  home invasion are pending for all three defendants before the State of Tennessee.

Williams went to trial in June 2022 and was found guilty of both business robberies and the use of  firearms during the robberies.

On September 9, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Williams to 228  months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. This sentence will be  consecutive to any sentence obtained by the State of Tennessee for the pending home invasion charges.

On October 25, 2021, Moore pled guilty to four counts of robbery and four counts of brandishing a  firearm in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Moore to  life in federal prison plus 21 years’ incarceration.

On May 14, 2021, Joshua Beason was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison. There is no parole in  the federal system.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Demetrius Williams, 20, has been sentenced to 125 months in federal prison for  attempted carjacking and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Joseph C. 
Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on December 28, 2019, Demetrius Williams and Terrion 
Jones contacted a third-party to take them to the mall. As the vehicle arrived, Jones got in the  back seat of the vehicle. Williams asked the victim to go to the back of the apartment to pick up  an additional female passenger. When the car got behind the apartment, Jones got out of the car  under the guise of getting another passenger, but then opened the driver's door. As Jones opened  the door, Williams brandished a handgun and told the victim "Get out of the car, so I don't have to  shoot you." The victim resisted and Jones punched her. Williams eventually gave Jones the gun and  told Jones to shoot the victim. Jones pointed the gun at the victim, and she ran away. An armed  citizen intervened, and the suspects fled the scene. Jones and Williams were identified as the  suspects and were arrested several days later.

On September 15, 2021, Williams pled guilty to attempted carjacking and brandishing a firearm in  relation to a crime of violence.

On August 24, 2022, Senior United States District Judge Jon P. McCalla, sentenced Williams to 125  months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in  the federal system.

Jones was previously sentenced to 111 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years'  supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF).

Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Rogers and Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

 
###
 

Memphis, TN – Barium Martin, 19, Julius Armstrong, 19, and Adairius Armstrong, 20, have pled guilty  to armed carjacking crimes.  Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the guilty  verdict today.

According to information presented in court, in May of 2021, Barium Martin, Adairius Armstrong,  Julius Armstrong, and another co-defendant participated in a string of carjackings, which  culminated in the shooting of two federal agents.

On May 5, 2021, two suspects approached victims "C.N." and "M.C." while they were sitting in C.N.'s  vehicle. One suspect, later identified as Adairius Armstrong, demanded the victims get out of the  vehicle as he pointed an assault rifle at their heads. The suspects took the victims' belongings  and fled in C.N.'s 2015 Hyundai. The suspects returned shortly and stole M.C.'s 2012 Mercedes.

On May 6, 2021, Adairius Armstrong and Julius Armstrong approached victim "L.P." while she was  sitting in her 2017 Nissan. Adairius Armstrong tapped on L.P.'s window with an assault rifle and  demanded the keys. L.P. fled as Julius Armstrong got into the passenger seat armedwith a handgun. 
The two then stole L.P.'s vehicle and fled the scene.

On May 7, 2021, Julius Armstrong approached victim "N.R." armed with an assault rifle as she  checked the tire of her 2021 Nissan. Julius Armstrong demanded that N.R. give her phone, purse, and  keys to him. The gunman got into her car and drove eastbound on Jackson Avenue along with a Honda 
CRV, driven by Barium Martin. Adairius Armstrong also participated, his fingerprints were found  inside of the carjacked vehicle. Also on May 7, 2021, at 1:40 a.m., victim “E.G.,” was traveling  south on Montgomery approaching the Parkway when a tan SUV cut her off, making the victim come to a  complete stop. A gunman stepped out of the passenger side of the SUV holding an assault rifle,  demanding her to get out of the car as he threatened to kill her. The victim got out of the vehicle and the suspect got in her car and both vehicles left traveling south. Barium Martin was identified as  the driver of the tan SUV.

Later that same day, at approximately 2:30 p.m., special agents from the ATF and officers from the 
Memphis Police Department Violent Crime Unit, received information that MPD patrol officers pursued  and lost track of another stolen vehicle, but later recovered the vehicle near Alabama and Mosby. 
Video from the area showed that four suspects emerged from the stolen vehicle, including one  carrying what appeared to be a rifle. ATF and VCU officers observed a vehicle of interest and began  to follow it near Dunlap and Mosby. The suspect vehicle then turned on Leath and stopped.  A  sergeant with MPD pulled his vehicle in front of the suspect vehicle.

An ATF agent observed a man wearing a red hoodie, later identified as Barium Martin, outside of the  vehicle raise a rifle at the officers. Another witness observed Julius Armstrong raise a rifle and  begin shooting. The witness observed Julius Armstrong move toward the driveway as he shot his  weapon before he jumped a gate and ran. The suspects fired approximately 10-20 shots at the special  agent and sergeant, who were both struck by gunfire but survived their injuries and have since  returned to full duty status.

On August 10, 2022, Barium Martin pled guilty to two carjackings, the use of a firearm during a  carjacking, and the shooting of the ATF agent and Memphis Police Sergeant. Sentencing for Martin is  set for November 10, 2022, before United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker.

On August 11, 2022, Adairius Armstrong pled guilty to four carjackings and the use of a firearm  during two of the carjackings. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years in federal prison. 
Sentencing for Adairius Armstrong is set for November 10,2022, before United States District Judge 
Thomas L. Parker.

On August 18, 2022, Julius Armstrong pled guilty to two carjackings, the use of a firearm during a  carjacking, the shooting of the ATF Agent and Memphis Police Sergeant, and the discharge of a  firearm during the shooting of the officers. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 years in  federal prison. Sentencing for Julius Armstrong is set for November 9, 2022, before United States 
District Judge Thomas L. Parker.

There is one remaining co-defendant who is currently scheduled for trial in November 2022. The  charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed  innocent unless and until proven guilty. There is no parole in the federal system.

“These violent offenders victimized and terrorized five citizens and two law enforcement officers. 
They repeatedly showed total disregard for human life and personal property. Carjackings and the  prevalence of guns on our streets continue to plague our communities at alarming and unacceptable  rates and the ATF will continue to work with our state, local, and federal partners to remove  violent criminals from the communities that we serve,” said Mickey French, ATF Special Agent in 
Charge, Nashville Field Office.

“This conviction sends a clear message that offenders who commit armed carjackings and shoot at our  law enforcement partners will be expeditiously caught, prosecuted, and ultimately held accountable  for their violent actions,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 
Memphis Division, Douglas M. Korneski. “The FBI and our federal and local partners will continue to  combine our resources and share our expertise to target those who perpetrate similar heinous acts."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI’s 
Safe Streets Task Force, the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and with assistance from the Shelby County 
District Attorney’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney’s Dean DeCandia, Elizabeth Rogers, and Greg Wagner are prosecuting  this case on behalf of the government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Reginald Pigram, 39, has been sentenced to 102 months in federal prison for illegally  possessing a firearm during an attempted robbery. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney,  announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 15, 2020, officers with the Memphis 
Police Department responded to an attempted robbery at a gas station on Old Austin Peay Highway. 
The victim reported that while he was unloading his delivery truck, a male approached him, lifted  his shirt to brandish a firearm, and demanded that the victim hand over his wallet. The victim  pulled out a knife and refused, and the suspect walked away to a hotel next door. The victim  briefly followed the suspect, who then pointed the firearm at the victim.

Responding officers went to the hotel and the management identified the suspect as a guest and led  officers to a specific room where he was staying. When officers knocked on the door to the room and  announced their presence, they heard someone manipulating the toilet lid. Several minutes after  officers repeatedly knocked on the door, Pigram answered the door. He matched the suspect  description and was detained.

Officers secured the hotel room, obtained a warrant, and recovered two handguns and multiple  magazines (including one high capacity) from the tank of the toilet. One of the handguns was a 
Ruger .45 and the other was a Springfield .45.

On October 26, 2021, Pigram pled guilty to being a felon in possession of two firearms.

On August 11, 2022, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Pigram to 102  months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of  law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to  make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime  reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy  in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from  occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring  the results.

Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Following a three-and-a-half-day jury trial in federal court, Travis Lester, 42, has  been found guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr.,  United States Attorney, announced the guilty verdict today.

According to information presented in court, on May 19, 2021, at approximately 1:00pm, the United 
States Marshals Service and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team received  information from a confidential source that two wanted fugitives were staying in a room at the 
Villa Inn Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

The fugitives were identified as Travis Lester, 42, and his girlfriend who had outstanding arrest  warrants. Detectives spoke with the hotel staff and learned which room they were staying in.  The  marshals knocked on the door, and both Lester and his girlfriend answered.  They were immediately  placed under arrest.  From the doorway, officers observed a digital scale on the nightstand. While  searching Lester's person, deputies recovered 20 rocks of crack cocaine and Lester admitted he had  more drugs inside the room.

Shelby County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit responded to the scene, secured a search warrant for  the room where a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol, with a red extended magazine was recovered from  a plastic bag containing Lester's clothing. The gun was loaded with 16 live rounds of ammunition in  the magazine and 1 live round in the chamber.

Lester’s prior felony convictions include felon in possession of ammunition in 2016, felon in  possession of a firearm in 2013 and reckless homicide in 2008. As a result of his prior felony  convictions, Lester is prohibited by federal law from possessing ammunition and firearms.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of  law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to  make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime  reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy  in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from  occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring  the results.

This  case was  investigated by  Project  Safe Neighborhood, the  Memphis Police Department, the 
United States Marshal Service, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation 
(TBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Sentencing is set for November 18, 2022, before United States District Judge Samuel H. Mays where  he faces up to ten years in federal prison followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no  parole in the federal system.

Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

###
 

Jackson, TN - After a four-day trial, Preston Anton McNeal, 35, was found guilty on four counts of a seven-count indictment. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the guilty verdict today. 

According to information presented in court, from late 2016 until February 2019, McNeal formed and was the leader of a substantial methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in West Tennessee.  On January 2, 2017, the Lexington Police Department stopped a vehicle being driven by Mr. McNeal, the only occupant of the vehicle.  After coming to a stop McNeal threw a bag containing 44 grams of actual methamphetamine, 16 grams of cocaine and a gram of crack cocaine into a nearby yard. All the narcotics were packaged separately for distribution. McNeal was placed into custody and the narcotics thrown by the defendant were recovered.  A search of the vehicle revealed $1,281 in cash, a drug ledger, and a digital scale.  

On February 9, 2019, and after the original indictment was returned against McNeal, Chester County Sheriff's Deputy stopped a vehicle being driven by McNeal and arrested him on the federal arrest warrant.  He was placed into custody on a federal arrest warrant for the original indictment in this case.  In the vehicle with McNeal was Whitney Jowers, who testified at trial that prior to being pulled over, McNeal handed her some items and told her to hide them, which she did.  After both McNeal and Jowers were placed under arrest, Jowers told law enforcement that she had several items on her person, including four bags of methamphetamine, three of which weighed 14 grams.  Officers also located another bag of methamphetamine under the driver's seat which also weighed 14 grams, and over $3,000 in cash which was scattered throughout the car.  The total weight of the methamphetamine was 57 grams. 

At trial, the government also called Christie Austin.  She testified that from late 2016 through February 2019, she received 220 ounces of methamphetamine from McNeal for redistribution.   Austin also testified that McNeal distributed methamphetamine to several other individuals in the Henderson County area. 

During the trial, McNeal had to be admonished by the judge several times for his unruly behavior, and he also assaulted multiple correctional officers on the final day of trial, which delayed the jury's deliberation.  McNeal also testified in his own defense during trial and claimed that he only sold marijuana.  The jury rejected McNeal's story and convicted him of conspiring with others to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and possessing with the intent to distribute over 5 grams and 50 grams of methamphetamine on January 2, 2017, and February 9, 2019, respectively.  The jury also convicted McNeal of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute on January 2, 2o17.     

Sentencing is set for November 15, 2022, before Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson. McNeal faces a mandatory-minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, and he will also likely qualify as a career offender, in which case he would face a guideline range of 360 months to life imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was investigated by the Lexington, Tennessee Police Department, the Chester County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
  
Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Davis and Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

### 

Jackson, TN - Mark Allen Branch, 34, of Union City, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and for being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.  

According to information presented in court, on January 15, 2020, officers with the Dyer County Sheriff's Department conducted a traffic stop on a green Pontiac Bonneville for a registration violation.  The defendant was in the front passenger seat.  
 
During the search of the vehicle, officers located a green camouflage backpack on the front passenger side floorboard.  A loaded Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol was found inside the backpack.  After being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights, Branch admitted the backpack was his.  Other items located in the backpack included a digital scale, three plastic baggies of methamphetamine, and eight individually wrapped baggies of marijuana.  Branch confirmed that everything inside the backpack belonged to him. 

The DEA issued a laboratory report in this case, which confirmed a net weight of 54.10 grams of actual methamphetamine with a purity level of 95%.  The DEA also confirmed that the marijuana weighed 174.95 grams.   

A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined Branch's pistol and determined that the gun was manufactured outside the state of Tennessee and therefore traveled in interstate commerce prior to being possessed by Branch on January 15, 2020.
    
Officers also confirmed that Branch is a convicted felon.  In November 2007, Branch was convicted of Possession of over .5 grams of Cocaine with Intent to Sell/Deliver in Dyer County, Mitigated Statutory Rape and Failure to Appear in Dyer County in August 2009, and Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture in Dyer County in April 2012.  

On March 23, 2022, Branch pled guilty in federal court to the charges of Possession of over 50 grams of Actual Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute and Felon-in-Possession of a Firearm.  As a convicted felon, Branch is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition. 

This case was investigated by the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

On July 14, 2022, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Branch to 151 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised.  There is no parole in the federal system.  
 
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

### 

Memphis, TN – Carlos Gwin, also known as “Carlos Chambers,” 40, has been sentenced to 180  months  in federal prison  for being a  convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr.,  United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 24, 2020,  at approximately 5:15pm,  Memphis Police  responded to a  call for  service at a  motel on Sycamore View. Carlos Gwin was  observed sitting in a black car in the motel parking lot using drugs. After having admitted to law  enforcement he was using cocaine, he was detained.

A search of the car revealeda small amount of cocaine wrapped in a $20.00 bill and Xanax wrapped in  foil. A Ruger 9mm caliber pistol was recovered from underneath the driver's seat.  The gun was  loaded with one live round of ammunition in the chamber and 12 live rounds in the magazine.

In 2002, 2004  and 2008, Gwin pled guilty to felony charges of aggravated burglary and is   prohibited  from possessing firearms. As  a result of his felony convictions, Gwin was sentenced as  an Armed Career Criminal under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

On June 29, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Gwin to 180 months in   federal prison  with  three years  of supervised release to follow.  There  is  no parole in the  federal system.

This  case was  investigated by  the  Project  Safe Neighborhood (PSN), Memphis  Police Department   and  the  Bureau  of  Alcohol,  Tobacco,  Firearms  and  Explosives  (ATF). The PSN initiative is   a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to  reduce  violent crime  and make our  communities safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on

targeting violent criminals, directing all  U.S. Attorney’s  Offices to  work  in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement.

Assistant  United  States  Attorney  Raney Irwin  prosecuted this  case  on  behalf  of  the  government.

###
 

The Department of Justice announced that Javian Griffin, 36, and Sebron Hollands, 32, two former tactical officers with the Strike Force for the Tennessee Department of Corrections, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee. Griffin is charged with using unlawful force against an inmate at Northwest Correctional Complex. Griffin and Hollands are both charged with obstruction of justice for writing false reports about Griffin’s assault.

The count charging Griffin with unlawful use of force carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment. The counts charging Griffin and Hollands with writing a false report carry a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr. for the Western District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Memphis Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Memphis,  TN  –  The  Department of  Justice  announced that Javian Griffin,  36,  and Sebron 
Hollands, 32, two former tactical officers with the Strike Force for the Tennessee Department of 
Corrections, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee. Griffin is charged with  using unlawful force against an inmate at Northwest Correctional Complex. Griffin and Hollands are  both  charged with obstruction of justice  for writing false reports about Griffin’s assault.

The count charging Griffin with unlawful use of force carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of   imprisonment. The  counts charging Griffin  and Hollands  with  writing  a  false report carry a  maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment.

Assistant Attorney  General Kristen  Clarke of  the  Department of  Justice’s Civil  Rights 
Division, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Joseph C. Murphy Jr. and Special 
Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski  of the  FBI Memphis Field  Office  made the announcement.

This  case was investigated by the FBI Memphis Field Office. It is  being prosecuted by Assistant 
U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns  for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

###
 

Memphis,  TN  – Christopher Cobb,  33,  has been sentenced to 84  months in  federal prison for  being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced  the guilty plea today.

According  to  information  presented  in   court,  on   the  afternoon   of   April  22,  2021,  Christopher Cobb called the United States Social Security Administration (“SSA”) office in Memphis,  Tennessee to inquire about the status of his claim. Cobb became irate when the official  informed  him that his claim  had been denied and he would need to file  an appeal. The  call was terminated  by the  SSA when Cobb  became irate and began using profanity. Several minutes later, Cobb called  back and threatened to "blow up" the Social Security building the next day.

A  search of  the  defendant’s home  revealed a  M-1  rifle  and ammunition. After  being advised  of and waiving his Miranda rights, Cobb admitted to making the threat and to also possessing the 
M-1 rifle and ammunition.

Cobb was previously convicted for aggravated assault, convicted felon in possession of a firearm,  failure  to  appear in  a  felony  case and robbery.  As  a  result of  his  prior  felony  convictions, Cobb is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On March 2, 2022,  Cobb pled guilty to communicating a threat and to being a  felon in possession  of a firearm.

On June 9, 2022,  United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Cobb to 84 months in  federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

“The  safety of  our  citizens  and  communities is  a  top  priority  for  Homeland Security 
Investigations (HSI) and threats against government facilities and employees must be taken  seriously,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in  Charge Jerry C. Templet Jr. “The investigative  efforts of our special agents, working with their law enforcement partners, is reflected in the  sentencing of this previously convicted felon.”

“This sentence reflects the severity of Mr. Cobb’s actions and should stand as a warning to anyone   who threatens any SSA official who is  simply carrying out  their duties. This behavior will not be  tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector 
General for the Social Security Administration.  “I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for  prosecuting this case.”

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General  and Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Wagner and Steven Hall prosecuted this case on behalf of the  government.

###
 

Memphis,  TN  –A  federal  grand  jury  has  indicted  fourteen  alleged members  and associates   of   the   Traveling   Vice   Lord   /Junk  Yard   Dogs   (TVL/JYD),   a   criminal organization   whose  members  and  associates  engaged  in   a  racketeering  conspiracy involving acts of  murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking.

According to the indictment, the TVL/JYD is a violent criminal street gang that operates throughout  the Western District of Tennessee.  The TVL is a subset of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation which  originated in Chicago, Illinois,  and other parts of the United States. The TVL were organized into  different positions, including Chief of Streets, Deck Holder, Enforcer, Treasurer and Chief of 
Security.  Participation  in violent acts directed at rival gangs  or  as   directed  by   gang   leadership,  increases  the   respect  accorded  to  that member/associate and can result in  membership, maintenance, and increased position in the gang, and opens the door to promotion of a  leadership position  within the gang. Violations of rules and orders may result in the loss of  membership, physical punishment in the form of beatings and in some instances, death.

This is the culmination of a two-year investigation into the Traveling Vice Lord subset the Junk 
Yard Dogs who operated mostly in Fayette County, TN.  Between June 2020  and August 2020,  the  
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 
(ATF) investigated five different shootings.

The  investigation  revealed,  between  June  17,  2020,   and   August  2020,   Tomarcus 
Baskerville ordered Martivus Baskerville, Deonte Walker, Toorrence Fitzpatrick, Deandra Rivers and 
Trevin Hullom, to conduct five separate shootings against rival gang members, the  Gangster 
Disciples  and  the  4  Corner  Hustlers  with  the  intent  to  kill  those  gang members.  As a result of these crimes, nine individuals were shot, and one person died.

Named in the indictment are: •    Tomarcus BASKERVILLE, 33, a/k/a “TC”, a/k/a “Glove.”   Held the rank of “Chief of 
Streets”
•    Christopher PEELER,30, a/k/a “Lil Chris.”  Held the rank of 3UE
•    Martivus  BASKERVILLE,  28,  a/k/a  Tavis.    Held  the  rank  of  “Deck Holder”
•    Thomas SMITH, 22, a/k/a “TJ.”   Held the rank of 5BE
•    Davaius WORRLES, 29, a/k/a, “Mighty”, a/k/a “Mighty Shun.”  Held the rank of 5BE
•    Curtis BASKERVILLE, 36, a/k/a “CB.”   Held the rank of 3BE
•    Montaveen   TAYLOR,21,    a/k/a,    "CGE    Tay.”       Held    the    rank    of 
“representative” and functioned as the “first seat.”
•    Mardarius McNEAL, 24.  Held the rank of “representative” and functioned as the 
“enforcer”
•    Deandra RIVERS, 26, a/k/a “Dre.”   Held the rank of “representative” and functioned  as “chief of security.”
•    Deonte WALKER, 27, a/k/a, “Tez.”  Held the rank of “representative” and functioned as  the “man of literature.”
•    Trevin HULLOM,  29, a/k/a  “Scooter.”   Held the  rank of representative and  functioned as the “assistant man of literature.”
•    Torrance    FITZPATRICK,    27,    a/k/a    Phat.        Held    the    rank    of 
“representative”
•    Bianca JACKSON, 20.  Held the rank of “representative”
•    Courtland  SPRINGFIELD,  30,  a/k/a,  “Hot  Box.”     Held  the  rank  of 
“representative.”

The RICO conspiracy charge in this case carries a maximum sentence of life.  The Murder in Aid of 
Racketeering charge in this case carries a sentence of death or life imprisonment. Each of the 
Brandishing and Discharging a Firearm during and in Relation to a Crime of Violence carries a  penalty of not less than 10 years consecutive to its  related Attempted Murder (Violent Crime in 
Aid in Racketeering).

This  case is  being investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Bureau of 
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Neal Oldham and Beth Boswell.

The   charges  and  allegations   in   the   indictment   are  merely   accusations,  and  the  defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Demario Davis, 35, of Memphis has been sentenced to 204 months in federal prison for  distribution of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.  Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney,  announced the sentence today.

According  to  information  presented in  court,  on  February  12,  2018,  members of  the Memphis 
Police  Department’s - Organized Crime Unit  responded to an overdose that occurred at a hotel room  on Madison Avenue.  Davis was identified as the source of these narcotics.

In December 2019, a  federal grand jury  returned a six-count indictment against Davis, charging  violations  including possession with intent  to distribute  heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.

The  defendant pled  guilty  on  February  24,  2022,  to  three  counts  of  the  six-count  indictment.

On June 23, 2022, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr.  sentenced Davis to 204 months  imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal  system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department Heroin Opioid Response Team.

Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Kimbril-Parks  prosecuted this case on behalf of the  government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Austin Martin, 23 has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possession  of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on May 4, 2019, a Memphis Police officer saw a  vehicle doing donuts at the intersection of Knight Arnold and South Mendenhall. The driver then  drove towards the officer’s vehicle and crashed into a fire hydrant.  Five males bailed out of the  vehicle, Martin got out of the driver’s door wearing a bright yellow vest and pointed a handgun at  the uniformed Memphis Police Officer.  The officer drew his weapon but did not fire because there  was a bystander in the background. Martin fled and was apprehended minutes later with the gun still  in his pocket.

On May  2, 2019,  Martin  robbed and shot two  men in Midtown.   Later that same day, Memphis 
Police  Investigators later matched Martin's gun to those two shootings. Both victims survived and  identified Martin as their shooter.

Martin also pled guilty in state court to especially aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and   an  unrelated  aggravated arson.  As  a  result  of  his  prior  convictions,  Martin  is  prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On June 17, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Martin to 10 years’  incarceration to be followed by three years’ supervised release.

This case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. The (PSN) initiative    is   a   program   bringing   together  all   levels  of   law   enforcement  and   the communities  they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was  reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all  U.S. Attorney’s  Offices to  work  in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###
 

Jackson, TN – Melanie Haste, 62, formerly of Trenton, Tennessee, has been sentenced to  18  months   in  federal prison  for  wire  fraud.    Joseph C.  Murphy  Jr.,  United  States Attorney,  announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, from 2012  until 2020,  Haste served as the  
Director  of  Risk  Management at  West  Tennessee Healthcare  and  worked  at  the Jackson-Madison 
County Hospital.  During her time there, she developed a fraud scheme that allowed her to steal  hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization.

In May 2020, Haste stole and attempted to deposit a check made out to the organization into  her  own  account.   The check was for  more than $146,000.   After bank personnel became suspicious,  they froze her account and alerted West Tennessee Healthcare of her actions.    After  the  matter   was  referred  to  law  enforcement, it  was  discovered that beginning in 2017, Haste had stolen  and attempted to steal more than $355,000 over a three-year period, using the hospital's money to  pay personal expenses, finance vacations, and give to family members.

In January 2022, Haste pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.

On June 15, 2022,  United States District  Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Haste to  18 months in  federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The  
Court  also  ordered Haste  to  pay  $209,181.47  in  restitution  to  the organization.  In  imposing the sentence, the Court noted that Haste had abused the trust of her employer, and the  seriousness of her offense warranted a prison sentence.   There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department, Financial Crimes Unit, and the United States Secret Service.

Assistant  United  States  Attorney  Matt  Wilson  prosecuted the  case  on  behalf  of  the government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Justin Huddleston, 21, Terrance Moore, 21, and Angelo Smith, 23, have been sentenced  to a collective total  of 492 months in federal prison  for carjacking and brandishing a firearm  during and in relation to a crime of violence.  Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney,  announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on Friday, September 20, 2019, at 1:45 a.m.,  victim R.H. was in her white Ford Fusion at the InTown Suites, when a male suspect pointed a   pistol  at her and carjacked her white  Fusion. As  the suspect drove away, he picked up two  additional suspects.

Approximately  two  hours  later,  victim  T.M.  was  at  the  Valero  gas  station  on  South 
Perkins. While inside the convenience store, a male suspect from a white sedan followed her inside  and then returned to the driver seat of the white sedan. The victim drove away, and the suspect  driver followed her. When the victim reached a stop sign at Cottonwood and Claudette, the white   sedan cut her off.  The  front  passenger got out of  the  sedan, approached the victim, pointed a  pistol  at her, and demanded her car. The victim sped away, and the armed suspect fired a shot.

Twenty minutes later, at the same Valero station, victim D.K. was pumping gas into his truck. The  truck had an attached trailer with lawn equipment. Two male suspects from a white sedan approached  him and pointed pistols at him, demanding his truck, phone, and wallet. The two suspects drove away  in the victim's truck, and the driver of the white sedan followed the truck.

At 12:20  p.m. the same day, Memphis Police officers found victim R.H.'s Fusion at Big Daddy's Pawn 
Shop on Hickory Hill Road. Terrance Moore was in the driver seat. Angelo Smith and  Justin 
Huddleston were  in  the  pawn  shop,  pawning  lawn  equipment that belonged to victim D.K.  Huddleston and Smith tried to run from police but were arrested.

Victim  R.H. identified Terrance Moore  as the armed suspect who carjacked her of her Ford Fusion. 
Victim D.K. identified Terrance Moore and Justin Huddleston as the armed suspects who carjacked him  of his truck and trailer. Victim T.M. identified Angelo Smith as the suspect as the suspect who  followed her in the Valero and drove the white sedan.

On   February  8,  2022,   United   States  District   Judge  Thomas  L.  Parker  sentenced 
Huddleston to 180 months to be followed by five years’ supervised release.  On February 11,  2022,   Moore  received 168 months to  be  followed by  five years’ supervised release. Smith was sentenced  on June 14, 2022,  to 144 months in federal prison with five years’ supervised release.  There is  no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Memphis 
Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Dean DeCandia prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###
 

Memphis, TN - A former police officer with the Memphis Police Department was charged in an indictment unsealed today in the Western District of Tennessee for sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty.  

According to the indictment, Bridges Randle, 47, who has also used the names Ajamu Abiola Banjoko and Oluwafemi Abiola Banjoko, sexually assaulted the woman after he was dispatched to a vandalism call at the woman's residence on June 24, 2000.  

Randle is charged with committing a civil rights offense that included aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, Randle faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.   

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr. for the Western District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski for the FBI Memphis Field Office made the announcement.  

This case is being investigated by the FBI's Memphis Field Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Maura White and Andrew Manns of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.  

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. 

### 

Memphis, TN – Devin Clark, 34, has been sentenced to 92 months in federal prison for being a  convicted felon in possession of ammunition. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney,  announced the sentence today.

According to  information presented in court, on April  22,  2021,  at 09:40 a.m., officers with  the Memphis Police Department responded to two 911 calls regarding a shooting at the Valero gas  station on Raleigh Millington Road.

After receiving several threatening messages on his cell phone, the victim, agreed to meet Clark  and another gentleman at the Valero gas station for a  fist fight. After the  victim arrived, the  three men began arguing when Clark suddenly pulled out a pistol and began firing shots in the air. 
Clark also fired several shots at the victim, hitting him in his right arm.  Several shots  also   hit  the  victim's  car.  The  two  men  fled  the  scene  but  were apprehended by officers a  short time later.  The victim was treated at a local hospital and released. Detectives recovered  nine .22 caliber shell casings from the scene.

Clark,  a  convicted  felon,  has  a  prior  felony  conviction  from  2018  for  possession of  methamphetamine with intent to deliver for which he received an eight-year sentence of  incarceration.  In  2017,  Clark  was  previously  convicted in  federal court  for  being  an  unlawful user of methamphetamine in possession of a firearm and received a sentence of 33  months  incarceration.   As  a  result of his  felony convictions, Clark  is  prohibited  by federal law  from possessing ammunition and firearms.

On June 2, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman, sentenced Clark to 92 months in  federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow. Because Clark was  on supervised  released at the  time he committed this  offense, Judge Lipman also sentenced him to an additional 
15-months incarceration to be served consecutive to the
92 months. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant United States Attorneys  Raney Irwin  and Regina Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf  of the government.

###
 

Memphis, TN – Jeffrey Luellen a/k/a “Roxy”, 45 has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on May 12, 2018, detectives with the Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit (OCU) responded to a suspected heroin overdose call at a local residence.

Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered the victim was dead on the scene with the cause of death later being determined as fentanyl overdose. Witnesses identified Jeffrey Luellen a/k/a "Roxy” as the individual who sold the substance ingested by the victim.

Throughout the investigation, detectives obtained surveillance video from a local gas station capturing the transaction. Law enforcement also conducted undercover purchases from Luellen and executed a search warrant at his hotel room.

On June 20, 2018, Luellen admitted to being a heroin distributor.

On June 3, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Luellen to 188 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Musselwhite and Michelle Kimbril-Parks prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN – Mondraques Newby, 30, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on March 2, 2020, Memphis Police Officers observed a red Ford Focus being driven by a male suspected to be Mondraques Newby who had outstanding warrants. When officers contacted Newby at a traffic stop, a strong odor of marijuana was emanating from the vehicle. Mondraques Newby was confirmed as the driver along with a female passenger.

Officers observed in plain view, sitting on Newby’s lap, 20.5 grams of marijuana, a black scale with green residue and a clear plastic bag with approximately 30 pills of MDMA. Newby was detained and officers recovered a black and silver 9mm pistol from inside of Newby's waistband. The pistol was loaded with one live round in the chamber and eight live rounds in the magazine. An additional live round was found underneath the driver's seat. Newby claimed ownership of the gun and drugs.

Newby was previously sentenced on March 3, 2010, to seven years’ incarceration for aggravated robbery. In 2015, he also had a prior conviction as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm for which he received a three-year sentence of incarceration. As a result of his felony convictions, Newby is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms.

On June 2, 2022, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Newby to 100 months in federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The PSN initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement.

Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN - Percy Woodears, 40, has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.  Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.   

According to information presented in court, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into Percy Woodears a/k/a Boom in October 2019.  Between October 2019 and February 2021, agents determined Woodears was obtaining kilogram amounts of cocaine and through a network of associates, distributed both powder and crack cocaine for profit.   

On February 5, 2021, agents seized three individually wrapped kilograms of cocaine, a safe containing approximately $313,898 in cash, and four firearms, from locations connected to Woodears' drug trafficking activities.  Woodears and 15 other individuals were indicted for their roles in the cocaine and crack cocaine distribution on February 25, 2021.  During the arrest of the co-conspirators, agents seized 6 additional firearms. 

On January 13, 2022, Woodears pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of powder cocaine, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 280 grams of crack cocaine; and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 3.4 kilograms of cocaine.   Woodears had previously been convicted of a federal firearms offense in the Western District of Tennessee in 2010.    

The 15 other defendants have also pled guilty.  

"This case highlights the impact multiple agencies can have when they join forces.  We will continue to work together and pursue those individuals who threaten our communities by distributing illegal and dangerous drugs as well as illegally possessing firearms," said Mickey French, Special Agent in Charge, ATF. 

On June 2, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Woodears to 135 months incarceration to be followed by five years of supervised release.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, Memphis Police Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. 

Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory D. Allen and Jennifer Musselwhite prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

### 

Memphis, TN - A Memphis woman was charged for her role in a fraudulent scheme to obtain thousands of dollars in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for herself and others.  Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the indictment today.   

On May 19, 2022, a federal grand jury charged Kenyatta Danielle Hooper, 34, in a six-count indictment with wire fraud.   Hooper was arrested on Friday, May 27, 2022.  

According to the indictment, the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The law authorized up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP.  In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.   

Hooper engaged in a scheme to illegally obtain thousands of dollars in PPP money for herself and others through numerous misrepresentations to financial institutions. Hooper both personally submitted and directed others to submit fraudulent PPP loan applications.  She also submitted fake and false documents in support of these applications.  Hooper also took kickbacks from the persons she assisted in filing fraudulent PPP loan applications.  She further falsely certified that she would only use PPP loan proceeds for permissible expenses – payroll, rent or mortgage payments, and utilities – and instead spent loan money on a Maserati automobile, personal travel, concerts, and gambling.  

“Congress funded the PPP program to provide a financial lifeline to struggling small businesses in West Tennessee and across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic”, said United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy.  “Bad actors unfortunately have targeted this critical assistance program and fraudulently diverted much needed resources.  Our office and our law enforcement partners will investigate all allegations of unlawful use of these funds and are committed to ensuring federal tax dollars are used for their intended purposes.” 

“The FBI takes particular interest in cases where individuals scheme for their own personal benefit, lining their pockets at the public’s expense,” said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Field Office. “The honest and law-abiding small business owners in this country should be assured by this indictment that the FBI is committed to working closely with its law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue anyone who would scheme to use critical assistance loans for their own avaricious desires.” 

“Scheming to fraudulently use SBA program funds is unacceptable,” said SBA OIG’s Special Agent-in-Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “OIG remains committed to rooting out bad actors and protecting the integrity of SBA programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.” 

“The Memphis Field Office of the United States Secret Service assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the arrest of suspect Kenyatta Hooper for COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Fraud.  This investigation and subsequent arrest once again demonstrate the continued collaboration between the FBI and Secret Service to combat financial crime,” said Carl B. Hagins, Special Agent in Charge (Memphis Field Office), United States Secret Service. 

Hooper faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud count.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The charges and allegations contained in indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law. 

The case was investigated by the FBI, the United States Small Business Administration, and the United States Secret Service. 

Assistant United States Attorney Tony Arvin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

  
### 

Memphis, TN- Amiri Johnson, 28, has been sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison for possession of a stolen firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on March 12, 2019, at approximately 8:00am, detectives with the Multi-Agency Gang Unit and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Apprehension Team executed a search warrant at an address on E. Belle Haven Road for Amiri Johnson. Johnson was wanted for aggravated burglary and robbery. Detectives were allowed into the residence by the homeowner who gave consent to search the home.

During the search, detectives found a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol underneath a mattress in the master bedroom. Johnson was discovered hiding inside a compartment of cabinets and was immediately placed into custody.

The gun recovered was loaded with six live rounds of .40 caliber ammunition and had been reported stolen during a residential burglary. Johnson claimed ownership of the gun. In 2013, Johnson was convicted on two counts of aggravated burglary, and in 2016, he was convicted for robbery. As a result of his felony convictions, Johnson is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On May 18, 2022, United States District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Johnson to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Memphis Police Department, the Multi-Gang Unit, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The PSN initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement.

Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

###

Memphis, TN - United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., and United States Marshal Tyreece Miller today announced Operation "River Run," a joint federal, state, and local law enforcement initiative that resulted in the arrest of 43 violent fugitives in West Tennessee. These individuals were arrested on a variety of criminal charges, including possession of drugs, homicide, illegal possession of firearms by prohibited persons, violation of federal supervised release, state probation and parole violations, burglary, sex crimes and aggravated assault. This coordinated effort to reduce violence was led by the United States Marshals Service.

In February 2022, the Department of Justice announced that it will be working with each United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) to enhance collaborative violent crime reduction efforts by providing resources to support violent crime priorities at the local level. These initiatives will incorporate the pillars of community engagement, prevention, strategic enforcement, and accountability. These four core principles will be the framework that the USAOs will use to serve the local communities in partnership with our federal, state, local and tribal colleagues.

The United States Marshals (USMS) Task Forces nationwide work in collaboration with their federal, state, local and tribal partners to enforce the rule of law through impactful violent crime reduction strategies. Last year alone, USMS Task Forces apprehended approximately 6,000 violent fugitives wanted for homicide and removed approximately 6,900 firearms from the street.

Operation River Run commenced on April 1, 2022 and concluded on April 30, 2022. The coordinated and targeted areas included Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, and Tipton Counties. 43 fugitives were arrested; 44 warrants cleared; seven firearms seized; 20 rounds of ammunition seized; $8,945 in cash; 0.751 kg of narcotics seized; and three gang members identified.

"Violent criminal acts wreak havoc in communities throughout our district. Recognizing this fact, reduction in violent crime is a priority for our office. We will work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes. Our goal in this effort is safer communities and we believe that this goal is achievable," said United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr.

"Through Operation River Run, the U.S. Marshals Service and our partners made a concerted effort to address criminal activity in more rural areas of West Tennessee. Fugitives may believe they can hide away from law enforcement resources and support larger cities may offer, but they are mistaken. Offenders should be on notice that we stand ready to address violent crime wherever it may be." said United States Marshal Tyreece Miller.

The following agencies participated in Operation "River Run":

United States Marshals Service

United States Attorney’s Office

United States Probation Services

Atoka Police Department

Bells Police Department

Drug Enforcement Administration

Dyersburg Police Department

Halls Police Department

Henning Police Department

Hornbeak Police Department

Martin Police Department

Memphis Police Department

Jackson Police Department

Dyer County Sheriff’s Office

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office

Obion County Sheriff’s Office

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

Tipton County Sheriff’s Office

Weakley County Sheriff’s Office

Tennessee Department of Correction

Tennessee Highway Patrol (Jackson Office)

Tennessee Highway Patrol (Memphis Office)

Texas Department of Public Safety

Additional information about the United States Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

###

Memphis, TN- Joshua Henley, 33, formerly of Benton County, Tennessee, and Evansville, Indiana, pled guilty Monday in federal district court to an eight-count indictment, admitting that he produced child sexual abuse material involving three minors, transported a minor interstate with the intent to engage in sexual activity with the minor, sent obscene videos and images to a minor, and possessed and transported child sexual abuse material. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the conviction today.

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2018, Henley was the pastor at Holladay Church of Christ in Benton County. He also coached the Holladay Elementary School girls’ basketball team. In April 2021, Henley took a position at a church in Evansville, Indiana. In June 2021, Henley drove back to Tennessee to pick up a female identified as "Minor C" and took her back to Indiana so she could help at his Vacation Bible School there. While in Indiana, Henley had sex with her. Minor C had just turned fifteen. Minor C later disclosed that Henley had been engaging in sexual activity with her since she was thirteen and asked her to take sexually explicit pictures and send them to him via a chat application.

While Henley was in Indiana with Minor C, another female, "Minor B," disclosed to a trusted adult that in 2020, Henley had asked her to create and send sexually explicit images too. Minor B was fifteen.

Henley was arrested on June 18, 2021, as he was driving Minor C back to Benton County. Investigators found a cell phone in his possession and obtained a warrant to search it and found sexually explicit images of Minor C and Minor B, as well as video of Henley having sexual intercourse with another female—Minor A. Metadata indicated the image was produced on November 6, 2020, just a few months after Minor A turned fourteen.

Henley has worked with young people in several other states, including Indiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Sentencing is set for August 23, 2022, before Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson in Jackson, Tennessee. Henley will be incarcerated for at least fifteen years and may be sentenced to a term of up to life in prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Task Force in partnership with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, the Evansville Police Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Technical Services Unit.

Assistant United States Attorney Debra Ireland is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

###

Jackson, TN- Anthony Ray Phoenix, 37, of Decatur County, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for resisting arrest by a federal officer. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, in November of 2019, officers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service in locating and apprehending Anthony Ray Phoenix on active warrants for fleeing from patrolmen. Additionally, the Marshals determined Phoenix was wanted for a Tennessee State Probation violation, assault, and battery in Kentucky, resisting arrest in Texas, and a probation violation in Idaho. Phoenix was known to be affiliated with the Aryan Nation Gang as well.

On December 2, 2019, members of the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with local law enforcement and special agents of the Tennessee Department of Corrections, located Phoenix at a residence in Decatur County, Tennessee. Upon approach, Phoenix was observed in a white Ford Expedition parked outside of the residence.

Phoenix fled from law enforcement officers through the backyard, a barbed-wire fence, and down a road at a high rate of speed before turning around and heading back through the same backyard towards the residence. Phoenix continued traveling at a high rate of speed, through another fence, into the original backyard and directly toward a Deputy U.S. Marshal and a Special Agent with the Tennessee Department of Corrections. With a fence to the Deputies’ right and the residence behind, the Deputy Marshal had no way to escape and in fear for his safety, fired his weapon in the direction of the vehicle.

Phoenix was subsequently taken into custody; all parties were uninjured. While interviewed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agents, Phoenix admitted knowing law enforcement officers were pursing him, as he attempted to evade arrest.

On January 25, 2022, Phoenix pled guilty.

At sentencing, the Government sought, and the Court found, an increase in sentence because Phoenix created a substantial risk of bodily injury by driving his vehicle towards the Deputy Marshal and the TDOC Special Agent to evade apprehension by fleeing.

On May 9, 2022, Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Phoenix to 100 months incarceration with three years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.

"Law enforcement are public servants that place their lives on the line every day, enforcing laws throughout our communities. Sadly, physical danger is part of what it means to wear a badge. But trying to hurt a Deputy United States Marshal has serious consequences. We are glad our Deputy Marshal wasn’t seriously injured, and this case has concluded," said United States Marshal Tyreece Miller.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, Tennessee Department of Correction, Decatur County Sheriff's Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Christie Hopper prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN – Jerry Moore, 36, has been sentenced to 125 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on August 11, 2020, members of Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit conducted a traffic stop of Moore’s vehicle after observing him engaged in a hand to hand drug transaction at a gas station parking lot. A search of the vehicle revealed 78.5 grams of marijuana, 5.6 grams of cocaine, 34.16 grams of methamphetamine, 13.979 grams of fentanyl, and ammunition.

While on release for the above offense, a second traffic stop was conducted of a vehicle in which Moore was the driver. A subsequent search revealed 30.73 grams of methamphetamine, 24.36 grams of marijuana, and 12. 39 grams of fentanyl.

In September 2021, a federal grand jury returned a nine-count indictment against Moore charging violations of possession with intent to distribute and for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.

On January 20, 2022, the defendant pled guilty to the nine-count indictment.

On May 13, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Moore to 125 months imprisonment, to be followed by four years supervised release. Moore was determined to be a career offender. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, a defendant who is convicted of a controlled substance offense and has at least two prior felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense is subject to an enhanced penalty. Prior to the commission of this offense Moore had been convicted

of Robbery and Criminal Attempt Voluntary Manslaughter. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit.

Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Kimbril-Parks prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement.  This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022. 

“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.” 

"Police officers," said United States Attorney Murphy, "are our Nation’s first line of defense when it comes to the safety of our local communities. We should always remember that when an emergency arises, police officers are usually among the first people we call and the first people to arrive on the scene to aid. Our community is safer because of their efforts." 

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021.  Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.  Seven officers have died in the line of duty in the Western District of Tennessee. 

Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 aw enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents.  Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year.  In 2021, unprovoked attacks1 were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting.  Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.   

The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF's website.

###

Jackson, TN- John Thomas Ward, 38, of Gibson County, has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on March 17, 2021, Gibson County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Milan Highway for a welfare check of suspicious persons in the area. The deputy observed John Ward and a female standing next to two vehicles. Ward was changing the tire on one of the vehicles. Through conversation with Ward and the female, the deputy determined that the female had an active order of protection against Ward.

The deputy also detected a strong odor of marijuana and asked for consent to search both vehicles. The parties consented, and the deputy recovered a Ruger, Model LC 9, 9mm pistol in a holster on the floorboard of one vehicle. Ward advised he owned the firearm and that he was a convicted felon. The firearm had an altered serial number; it was later determined that the firearm was stolen.

Ward had previously been convicted on five separate occasions of Domestic Assault including one felony Aggravated Domestic Assault with a Deadly Weapon. At the time of this offense, he was actively under an Order of Protection prohibiting him from being in the presence of the female at the scene.

“The Department of Justice is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them, and we will continue investigating and prosecuting all domestic violence firearms related crimes," said Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney.

On February 1, 2022, Ward entered a guilty plea.

This case was investigated by the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

On May 6, 2022, United States Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Ward to 80 months incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Assistant United States Attorney Christie Hopper prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN – United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., along with stakeholders in the north Memphis Community announced the third “Better Community Summit” effort to reduce violent crime throughout our city. Summit organizers and participants include the Neighborhood Christian Centers, represented by CEO, Ephie Johnson, Dr. Todd Richardson, Crosstown Redevelopment Cooperative, Memphis Medical District Collaborative, represented by Rory Thomas, Bishop Brandon Porter, Greater Community Temple Church of God In Christ, Tanja Mitchell, Mitchell Consulting, the Memphis Police Department, represented by Deputy Chief Paul Wright; and program facilitators, Rev. Ricky Floyd, The Pursuit of God Transformation Center; Charlie Caswell, Executive Director of Legacy of Legends, CDC; and DeAndre Brown, Founder, Lifeline2Success.

The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to work with law enforcement and other stakeholders to reduce violent crime in Memphis and West Tennessee. To achieve this goal, the Department has directed every U.S. Attorney’s Office to formulate a strategic plan designed to reduce violent crime. To that end, our office convened meetings with over 40 clergy leaders across the greater Memphis area to discuss violent crime and recommend possible solutions.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Memphis Police Department, non-profit organizations, clergy leaders, and other community stakeholders are pleased to announce the next “Better Community Summit” will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at the Neighborhood Christian Centers, 785 Jackson Avenue. The summit is tailored to address the needs of parents and children. Topics covered will include domestic violence prevention, gang talk, community conflict resolution, and de-escalation training.

The remaining Summits will be held quarterly in the areas of Whitehaven/Westwood and Hickory Hill/East Memphis.

###

Memphis, TN- United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in announcing that on April 30th, DEA will hold its 22nd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held at thousands of collection sites around the country. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous.

With robust public participation, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens.

"Disposing of unneeded medications can help prevent drugs from being misused," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. "Overdose deaths continue to hit tragic record highs. I encourage everyone to dispose of unneeded prescription medications now."

"I encourage everyone to participate in the National Prescription Drug Takeback Day and take just a few minutes to rid their homes of any unneeded or expired medications," said Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Louisville Division. "This small act will go a long way in making our communities safer, by providing safe disposal and keeping prescription drugs out of the wrong hands."

Drug overdose deaths are up 16 percent in the last year, claiming more than 290 lives every day. According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, more than 106,000 people died as the result of a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending November 2021, marking the most drug-related deaths ever recorded, with opioid-related deaths accounting for 75 percent of all overdose deaths.

For more than a decade, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or no longer needed—that too often become a gateway to addiction. Working in close partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 15 million pounds of medication from circulation since its inception. These efforts are directly in line with DEA’s priority to combat the overdose epidemic in the United States.

On Saturday, April 30, 2022, DEA and its law enforcement partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illicit drugs will not be accepted. DEA will accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed.

A location finder and partner toolbox are available at www.DEATakeBack.com for easy reference to April 30 collection sites.

Year-round receptacles are available at more than 13,000 pharmacies, hospitals, police departments, and business. Additionally, with the passage of the DUMP Opioids Act in 2021, the public may now use drop boxes at Veterans Administration medical centers to dispose of controlled substance prescription medications. Check with your local VA health facility for more information.

With more than 13,000 year-round drop-off locations in the United States, every day can be Take Back Day.

###

Memphis, TN- The United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee has appointed Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546(d). The appointment took effect on April 25, 2022, and on April 20, 2022, Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson administered the oath of office for Mr. Murphy’s appointment prior to its effective date. Mr. Murphy will serve in this capacity until the vacancy is filled by a Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed nominee.

Mr. Murphy, a graduate of Lambuth College and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Memphis office since 1989. He was named as the office’s First Assistant United States Attorney in July of 2018. Prior to being named First Assistant, Mr. Murphy served as the office’s Criminal Chief beginning in 2011. In that role he supervised 28 Assistant United States Attorneys who investigated and prosecuted criminal cases in the Memphis office and 10 support staff. He also served as Chief of the office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force for three years before being named Criminal Chief. Between 1991 and 2007, Mr. Murphy served as a line assistant in both the office’s criminal division and drug task force.

During his career with the Justice Department, Mr. Murphy has tried approximately 125 felony cases to verdict in United States District Court. These cases included prosecutions of health care professionals for illegally distributing controlled substances; mail and wire fraud cases; and theft cases involving pension funds and interstate shipments. Mr. Murphy has also represented the government in over 200 cases litigated before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and he has argued approximately 48 cases before that court.

A Memphis resident, Mr. Murphy has been married to Sandy Murphy for 33 years and has two adult children. Active in community and legal affairs, he is a member of the Leo Bearman, Sr. Inn of the American Inns of Court and a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation and has served as a volunteer with the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

###

Memphis, TN- Caesar Oruade, 38, and Ayana Saunders, 36, of Hawthorne, California, have been convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the conviction today.

According to information presented in court, in May 2017, a computer intrusion at a real estate company resulted in a Memphis woman’s $76,000 payment on a home purchase being diverted to the bank account of California resident Jeffrey Cranford. Agents investigating the case followed the money and found that the $76,000 had been "chopped" and sent to several other U.S. bank account holders before ultimately being wired to an account in Nigeria. Many others across the United States and in Canada had been similarly victimized in their attempts to purchase real estate. The proceeds of romance fraud were flowing through the same accounts as well.

Bank accounts belonging to defendant Ayana Saunders generally served as the last domestic stop for funds before leaving the United States; they then landed in the Nigerian account of Caesar Oruade. Saunders and Oruade, now married, claimed the money came from "investors" who were funding the making of Nigerian films through their production company. Both were convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money.

Victims from around the United States and Canada testified that they had been directed by either an online real estate lender or an online love interest or friend to wire money to Saunders as insurance on their pending loan or to assist their "friend" in an emergency. More than half a million dollars moved into Saunders’ accounts over the course of approximately one year. Saunders took a cut before forwarding the remaining fraudulently obtained funds to Nigeria.

Wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering each carry sentences of up to twenty years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

"Targeting domestic and foreign fraudsters who scam innocent people out of their hard-earned money is a priority for the FBI," said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Field Office. "These convictions demonstrate the effectiveness of state and federal law enforcement working together to protect the public from real estate and romance scammers and bring those responsible to justice."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Memphis Division, investigated this case with assistance from the United States Secret Service (USSS), FBI – Los Angeles Division and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

Sentencing is set for July 21, 2022, before Senior United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen. Jeffrey Cranford pled guilty in the scheme and is set to be sentenced on May 5, 2022, before Judge J. Daniel Breen.

Assistant United States Attorneys Raney Irwin and Debra Ireland are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

###

Memphis, TN- Decardo Moore, 22, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder during a business robbery. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on March 28, 2019, Decardo Moore entered the Exxon on Stage Road in Memphis and demanded money from the store clerk and two patrons. After all three complied, Moore fired a single shot, which struck and killed the store clerk. Moore then fired shots to break the glass in the front door and fled.
Three months later, on June 28, 2019, Decardo Moore, Joshua Beason, and an additional co-defendant robbed three Memphis-area gas stations. At approximately 1:10 a.m., Moore and Beason approached a store clerk outside of the Mapco Express on Raleigh Millington Road armed with semi-automatic handguns with extended magazines. They threatened the clerk, forced her inside, and removed money from the register. Less than an hour later, the group proceeded to the Murphy Express on Summer Avenue. Moore's co-defendants put a handgun to the side of a store clerk, forced him inside the store, and threatened the lives of both store clerks. They took money from the register and fled. Moore served as the getaway driver.
Approximately thirty minutes later, the group robbed the Exxon on Summer Avenue. They brandished firearms, removed the cash drawer then fled the scene. Moore served as the getaway driver.
Minutes later, the group participated in a home invasion on West Barbara Circle. During this incident, a resident, Moore and one of his co-defendants were shot. All three survived. Moore and his co-defendants were apprehended at the emergency room. Charges for the home invasion are pending for all three defendants before the State of Tennessee.
On October 25, 2021, Moore pled guilty to four counts of robbery and four counts of brandishing a firearm.
On April 21, 2022, United States District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Moore to life in federal prison plus 21 years’ incarceration. Joshua Beason was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison on March 14, 2021. Moore's other co-defendant is scheduled for trial in May 2022. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Whitmore and Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Jackson, TN- Hunter Brett Wherry, 26, of Union City, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 140 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon-in-possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on February 27, 2021, an officer with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a residential burglary in Sharon, Tennessee. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the homeowner, Billy Finney, who reported that his home had been burglarized and several items were missing. Witnesses observed a maroon Nissan Altima with two subjects at the home between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. that day with the trunk open. Mr. Finney later provided law enforcement with a list of 11 firearms that were stolen from his home during the burglary.

On March 3, 2021, officers with the Obion County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a male subject and recovered an AR-15 rifle that matched the description of one of the firearms stolen from Mr. Finney’s residence. Photos of the firearm were shown to Mr. Finney, and he confirmed that the firearm was the AR-15 Bump Stock, Red Dot Sight that he reported stolen. Officers then interviewed the male subject, and he said the defendant, Hunter Brett Wherry, gave him the AR-15 "to hold onto." The male subject also said Wherry had given him additional firearms that were now at his residence in Trenton, Tennessee. After receiving permission to search and recover the firearms from the male subject's residence, officers recovered three additional firearms that were reported stolen from Mr. Finney’s residence.

The male subject agreed to work with the officers to recover additional firearms from Wherry. He made a recorded phone call to Wherry and told Wherry that he had a buyer for the remaining guns. Wherry told the male subject to meet him at an address on Vine Street in Union City, Tennessee. An undercover Union City police officer and the male subject then met with Wherry at the designated area. Wherry instructed the undercover officer and the male subject to follow him to a residence in Union City, where the firearms were located. Once there, the pair purchased several firearms from Wherry, including a High Standard Sentinel .22-caliber revolver. During the purchase, one officer left to obtain a search warrant for the residence and vehicles on the property, while the rest continued surveillance of the residence. Before the officer could return with the warrant, Wherry and two other individuals left the residence in a brown Cadillac.

A traffic stop was then conducted on the vehicle. When officers approached the vehicle, they observed Wherry in the right rear passenger seat leaning forward as if he was placing something under the seat. Wherry was ultimately removed from the vehicle, and a search of his person revealed a black fanny pack containing 22 grams of methamphetamine, 21 grams of marijuana, 3 syringes (one was filled with an undisclosed substance), and digital scales. Officers also located a Galesi Brescia .32-caliber ACP pistol (serial no 202520) under the seat where Wherry had been seen reaching.

Officers returned with the search warrant and executed it at the Washington Street residence. A search of the Cadillac and the residence, along with the firearms collected from the male subject that assisted the officers in this investigation resulted in the seizure of the following firearms, many of which were stolen during the burglary of Mr. Finney's home:

• Browning 22 Take-Down, .22 caliber long rifle.

• Stevens 311 Double Barrel shotgun.

• W&C Scott and Sons 12-gauge double barrel shotgun.

• High Standard Sentinel, .22-caliber revolver (serial no. 1468971).

• Galesi Brescia .32-caliber ACP pistol (serial no 202520).

• AR-15 Bump Stock, Red Dot Sight, serial # unknown.

• Remington 12-gauge, 870 Express Wood Sock, serial # unknown.

• Remington 12-gauge Shotgun, serial # unknown.

• Savage Model 308, serial # unknown.

• Savage Model 7 Mag Nightcon Scope, serial # unknown.

• Remington 30-06, Simmons Scope Wood Stock, serial # unknown.

• .22 Auto black synthetic stock, serial # unknown.

Wherry waived his Miranda rights and admitted to breaking into Mr. Finney's residence with his girlfriend and stealing several items. After the couple left the residence, they discovered they had stolen a key to a firearm’s safe. They decided to return to the residence and steal the firearms from the safe. Wherry further admitted that he had asked the male subject who assisted the police to help him sell the four firearms that the officers had recovered from the male subject's home earlier that day.

Wherry pled guilty to two counts of being a convicted felon-in-possession of a firearm on December 17, 2021.

This case was investigated by the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office, Obion County Sheriff’s Office, Union City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

On April 15, 2022, United States Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Wherry to 140 months' imprisonment, to be followed by two years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- Kenneth Hicks, 62, has pleaded guilty to civil rights conspiracy violations. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, after a four-day jury trial, on April 15, 2022, Kenneth Hicks pled guilty to conspiring to violate the civil rights of others. Proof submitted to the jury and the court showed that between 2014 and 2018 Anthony Davis, Sam Blue, Ronnie Woods, Lester Page, Kenneth Hicks, David Douglas, and Jarvis Howard conspired to rob drug dealers of drugs and drug proceeds acting under color of law. Sam Blue was a sworn Memphis Police Department officer during this time. Hicks joined the conspiracy in the summer of 2018.

Prior to the planned robberies, various co-conspirators would conduct surveillance of the targets. Blue provided his co-conspirators with equipment, including an official MPD badge, and a car dashboard blue light to use during the planned robberies so that they could falsely claim to be or appear to be law enforcement officers. In the summer of 2018, conspirators targeted individuals believed to be in possession of drugs and drug proceeds. The plan was to pose as law enforcement and detain the targets and seize the drugs and/or money. Blue provided law enforcement sensitive information in furtherance of the conspiracy to rob these individuals and violate their constitutional rights. To further the conspiracy, Blue would contact MPD dispatch and request that a license plate be run. Blue would pass that information along to Davis. Blue also provided advice as to tactics to use to appear that the conspirators were law enforcement.

On July 13, 2018, the final victim was leaving his apartment in Memphis around 4:30 a.m. when a black car with flashing blue lights pulled up behind his car. Hicks and Douglas, dressed in law enforcement type clothing with the word "police" on it and wearing masks and armed with handguns, got out of the car, and ordered the victim to get on the ground.

He obeyed and the men handcuffed him, put a hood over his face, and put him in the back of their car. Hicks and Douglas then drove him to a house on Reese Road.

The victim was taken inside the house and restrained while the defendants beat him, burned him on his arm, neck, and head, and demanded that he tell them where he kept his money and/or drugs. The victim was able to eventually escape by diving head-first out of a window while still handcuffed and with a hood still over his head. A construction worker spotted him in the street and flagged down an officer to get him help. The victim suffered second and third-degree burns on his neck, face, and arms. He was hospitalized for a week in the burn unit at the Med and had to undergo surgery for his injuries including a skin graft to his arm.

"For the last 15 years, the FBI Memphis Field Office’s Tarnished Badge Task Force has been the model for investigating law enforcement corruption around the country," said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "The Tarnished Badge Task Force is composed of law enforcement officers from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Memphis Police Department, and the FBI. The continued commitment to investigating these crimes by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Memphis Police Department has led to the tremendous success of this task force and helped deter criminal behavior and restore public trust in law enforcement. Since its inception, investigating law enforcement corruption has been a top priority for all three agencies and continued focus resulted in this successful prosecution."

"We are thankful for the dedicated work of the Tarnished Badge Task Force that led to the arrest of Kenneth Hicks and other coconspirators. This case is just another reminder that no one is above the law. Additionally, we should never let the unlawful actions of one group of individuals diminish the extraordinary work being done daily by the committed men and women of law enforcement," said Assistant Chief Don Crowe.

"These critical arrests are examples of what we can accomplish when our local and federal law enforcement agencies work together on joint task force operations in order to remove these criminal elements from our streets of Shelby County," said Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr. "I am proud of our law enforcement partners, and my deputies assigned to this task force, for their collaborations to investigate and make these arrests."

Sentencing is set for August 25, 2022, before United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., where Hicks faces up to life imprisonment. The remaining co-conspirators have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the FBI Tarnished Badge Task Force, a national model for investigating law enforcement corruption, comprised of the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and FBI team members.

Assistant United States Attorney David Pritchard prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN - The Department of Justice today announced criminal charges against 21 defendants in nine federal districts across the United States for their alleged participation in various health care related fraud schemes that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic. These cases allegedly resulted in over $149 million in COVID-19-related false billings to federal programs and theft from federally-funded pandemic assistance programs. In connection with the enforcement action, the department seized over $8 million in cash and other fraud proceeds.

“The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Unit and our partners are dedicated to rooting out schemes that have exploited the pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s enforcement action reinforces our commitment to using all available tools to hold accountable medical professionals, corporate executives, and others who have placed greed above care during an unprecedented public health emergency.”

“This COVID-19 health care fraud enforcement action involves extraordinary efforts to prosecute some of the largest and most wide-ranging pandemic frauds detected to date,” said Director for COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Kevin Chambers. “The scale and complexity of the schemes prosecuted today illustrates the success of our unprecedented interagency effort to quickly investigate and prosecute those who abuse our critical health care programs.”

This announcement builds on the success of the May 2021 COVID-19 Enforcement Action and involves the prosecution of various COVID-19 health care fraud schemes. For example, several cases announced today involve defendants who allegedly offered COVID-19 testing to induce patients to provide their personal identifying information and a saliva or blood sample. The defendants are alleged to have then used the information and samples to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for unrelated, medically unnecessary, and far more expensive tests or services. In one such scheme in the Central District of California, two owners of a clinical laboratory were charged with a health care fraud, kickback, and money laundering scheme that involved the fraudulent billing of over $214 million for laboratory tests, over $125 million of which allegedly involved fraudulent claims during the pandemic for COVID-19 and respiratory pathogen tests. In two separate cases in the District of Maryland and the Eastern District of New York, owners of medical clinics allegedly obtained confidential information from patients seeking COVID-19 testing at drive-thru testing sites and then submitted fraudulent claims for lengthy office visits with the patients that did not, in fact, occur. The proceeds of these fraudulent schemes were allegedly laundered through shell corporations in the United States, transferred to foreign countries, and used to purchase real estate and luxury items.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have seen trusted medical professionals orchestrate and carry out egregious crimes against their patients all for financial gain,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “These health care fraud abuses erode the integrity and trust patients have with those in the health care industry, particularly during a vulnerable and worrisome time for many individuals. The actions of these criminals are unacceptable, and the FBI, working in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate and pursue those who exploit the integrity of the health care industry for profit.”

In the Western District of Tennessee, Raymond Earl Vallier, 52, of Collierville, Tennessee was indicted with theft of government property and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to unlawfully convert CARES Act Provider Relief Fund monies. Vallier was the former owner and operator of North Delta Hospice and Palliative Services LLC, a hospice care center, which, on April 10, 2020, received $107,568.03 from the Provider Relief Fund. North Delta Hospice had ceased seeing patients and billing Medicare and Medicaid by the end of September 2019. According to the indictment, rather than returning the funds deposited, as North Delta Hospice did not qualify for the Provider Relief Fund Payment, the defendant used the name of the deceased owner of North Delta Hospice to falsely attest to the terms and conditions of the Provider Relief Fund — claiming that the funds would be used for expenses related to the treatment of COVID-19 patients — and wrote a check to himself and made a payment on one of his other company’s credit card accounts with the funds. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sara E. Porter of the Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

In another type of COVID-19 health care fraud scheme announced today, defendants allegedly exploited policies that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) put in place to enable increased access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, in the Southern District of Florida, one medical professional was charged with a health care fraud, wire fraud, and kickback scheme that allegedly involved billing for sham telemedicine encounters that did not occur and agreeing to order unnecessary genetic testing in exchange for access to telehealth patients. Late last year, one defendant previously was sentenced to 82 months in prison in connection with this scheme.

“The attempt to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic by targeting beneficiaries and stealing from federal health care programs is unconscionable,” said Inspector General Christi A. Grimm of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “HHS-OIG is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners at the federal and state levels to ensure that bad actors who perpetrate egregious and harmful crimes are held accountable.”

Today’s announcement includes charges against two additional defendants for schemes targeting the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The PRF is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 that provided financial assistance to medical providers to provide needed medical care to Americans suffering from COVID-19. In total, 10 defendants have been charged with crimes related to misappropriating PRF monies intended for frontline medical providers and three have pleaded guilty.

Today’s announcement also includes charges against manufacturers and distributors of fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards who, according to the allegations, intentionally sought to obstruct the HHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in their efforts to administer the nationwide vaccination program and provide Americans with accurate proof of vaccination. For example, in the Northern District of California, three additional defendants were charged in a scheme to sell homeoprophylaxis immunizations for COVID-19 and falsify COVID-19 vaccination record cards to make it appear that customers received government-authorized vaccines. One defendant allegedly misused her position as the Director of Pharmacy at a northern California hospital to obtain real lot numbers for the Moderna vaccine that were then used to falsify COVID-19 vaccination record cards. Another defendant pleaded guilty in April 2022. In a separate case in the Western District of Washington, one manufacturer was charged in the multistate distribution of fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards after allegedly telling an undercover federal agent that “until I get caught and go to jail, [expletive] it I’m taking the money, ha! I don’t care.”

Additionally, the Center for Program Integrity, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CPI/CMS) separately announced today that it has taken an additional 28 administrative actions against providers for their alleged involvement in fraud, waste, and abuse schemes related to the delivery of care for COVID-19, as well as schemes that capitalize upon the public health emergency.

“We are committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to combat fraud, waste and abuse in our federal health care programs,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “The administrative actions CMS has taken protect the Medicare Trust Funds while also safeguarding people enrolled in Medicare.”

Today’s enforcement actions were led and coordinated by Assistant Chief Jacob Foster and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the National Rapid Response Strike Force, and Assistant Chief Justin Woodard of the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Gulf Coast Strike Force in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The Fraud Section’s National Rapid Response Strike Force and the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Strike Forces (SF) in Brooklyn, the Gulf Coast, Miami, Los Angeles, and Newark, as well as the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Maryland, District of New Jersey, District of Utah, Northern District of California, and Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting these cases. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the department’s website at: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit/case-summaries.

In addition to the FBI, HHS-OIG, and CPI/CMS, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Defense Office of Inspector General; Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General; Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General; Food and Drug Administration Office of the Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General; and other federal and local law enforcement agencies participated in the law enforcement action.

The Fraud Section leads the Health Care Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the CMS, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

An indictment, complaint, or information is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

Memphis, TN- Oscar Goodwin, 35, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 10, 2019, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents discovered a Zastavia AK 7.62 x 39 short rifle during the search of a residence in Memphis regarding an ongoing investigation of drive-by shootings in Tipton and Fayette counties. The rifle was discovered in a black/white Air Jordan backpack in the front room of the residence. A male subject at the residence, later identified as Oscar Goodwin, Jr., advised being the owner of the rifle.

Fired casings from the shooting scenes appear to match the weapon found. Evidence proved that the defendant was involved in the Tipton and Fayette County shootings and possessed the AK rifle.

Further investigation revealed that Goodwin had been convicted of multiple violent felonies and was on probation for aggravated burglary out of Fayette County at the time of this crime. As a result of his felony convictions, he is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On April 13, 2022, United States District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Goodwin to 180 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Sean Hord prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Hord is currently assigned from the 25th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

###

Memphis, TN- Convicted felon Eugene Conrad, 52, of Michigan City, Mississippi has been sentenced to three years of probation along with nine months of home confinement for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 15, 2021, agents with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified the FBI Memphis Field Office of reports indicating that planes flying into the Memphis Airport from the east were consistently being struck in the cockpit and cabin by a green laser coming from the Hardeman County, Tennessee and Benton County, Mississippi area. From January 1, 2021, to July 15, 2021, there were 49 strikes by a green laser on aircraft.

On July 16, 2021, agents conducted surveillance in Saulsbury, Tennessee, during which time agents received reports from Memphis International Airport’s Air Traffic Control relaying that aircraft in the vicinity were being struck by a laser. Agents could see a general originating location but the lasering ceased before a specific origin could be determined.

On August 11, 2021, surveillance was again established near Saulsbury, Tennessee using an aircraft from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), with a camera affixed for surveillance. At approximately 9:30 pm, the TBI aircraft entered the area over Hardeman County, TN and almost immediately began reporting laser strikes originating from the south and southwest of their position.

The TBI plane circled the area several times. Surveillance equipment pinpointed an individual standing in front of a residence located at the intersection of Whippoorwill Road and Hamer Road in Benton County, Mississippi near the TN/MS border.

When agents arrived on the scene, they observed a male, later identified as Eugene Conrad, walking around a house while lasering the plane. A green laser pointer was found in an outdoor trashcan. Conrad admitted to law enforcement to intentionally striking planes flying near his residence with the green laser for several months.

"The FBI and our partners at the Federal Aviation Administration and the TBI Air Unit worked diligently to mitigate this threat to aviation and bring this criminal to justice. We will continue to investigate anyone who interferes with the safe operation of aircraft," said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Field Office. "It is important that people understand this is not a game -- it is a criminal act with potential deadly consequences for pilots, crew, and passengers. When the powerful beam of light from a handheld laser is aimed at an aircraft, the light can illuminate a cockpit and blind pilots. Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a serious matter and a violation of federal law."

Conrad pled guilty on December 14, 2021.

On April 7, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Conrad to three years’ probation and nine months of home confinement. Other mandatory requirements stipulate that the defendant cannot commit another federal, state, or local crime and he must not own, possess, or have access to firearm, ammunition, destructive devices, or dangerous weapons.

This case was investigated by the FBI – Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen L. Hall prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- Freddy Colmenares, 30, has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on March 3, 2020, United States Postal Inspectors intercepted a package from San Diego, California to a Memphis address containing 936 grams of methamphetamine. Colmenares was later identified as the sender of this package. Through surveillance and investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents confirmed multiple packages of similar weights and sizes were being sent to various addresses in Memphis.

On July 2, 2020, Memphis postal inspectors intercepted a second package containing 940 grams of methamphetamine. DEA agents conducted an undercover operation at the listed recipient residence and executed four residential search warrants on July 6, 2020. Law enforcement officers recovered $74,970, four firearms, and smaller quantities of various controlled substances.

Colmenares admitted to shipping over 35 kilograms of actual methamphetamine through the United States Postal Service from San Diego, California to Memphis.

On April 15, 2022, United States District Judge Jon P. McCalla sentenced Colmenares to 240 months in federal prison to be followed by five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated this case.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Musselwhite prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- After a six-day federal jury trial, Keaton L. Walls, 37, of Clarksville, Tennessee, was found guilty of kidnapping, interstate stalking, and using a firearm to commit interstate stalking. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the conviction today.

According to information presented in court, on November 23, 2016, Walls drove from Clarksville, Tennessee to a residence in DeSoto County, Mississippi, where his ex-girlfriend lived with several family members. Armed with a Norinco AK-47 style automatic rifle, Walls fired at least 10 shots from the front yard into the home’s living room window. Four of the seven people inside the house suffered gunshot wounds, and one of those victims lost his leg due to the shooting. The victims were not able to see the shooter, and Walls fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department personnel recovered six spent shell casings as evidence.

Less than 18 months later, on April 20, 2018, Walls kidnapped his ex-girlfriend, her five-year-old daughter, and her boyfriend at gunpoint from their apartment in Memphis, Tennessee. He forced the victim to drive them in her car to a nearby location, where Walls’s vehicle was parked. He retrieved an AK-47 style rifle from his car and put it into the trunk of the victim’s car. After that, he ordered the victim to drive back to her apartment, where he forced her to lock her daughter inside the apartment by herself. He then ordered her to drive to a house in Marshall County, Mississippi where Walls’s relative lived. During the drive, Walls threatened to kill both victims and hit them with one of his two pistols. When they arrived at the house, Walls forced both victims out of the car, onto their knees, and fired three gunshots past their heads.

After arguing with several family members about whether he should release the victims, Walls directed both victims back into the car. He forced the female victim to drive the car into Shelby County, Tennessee, where officers were able to stop the car, arrest Walls, and

rescue both victims. Forensic ballistics testing showed that the AK-47 style rifle in the car’s trunk matched the spent shell casings recovered from the November 23, 2016, shooting in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

"The prosecution of individuals who commit violent crimes is a priority for the United States Department of Justice," said Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. "Public safety is a paramount concern for our office, and we will aggressively prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes that endanger the safety of the people living throughout West Tennessee."

"The cooperative efforts among Federal and State partners made it possible to bring a violent stalker and kidnapper to justice," said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Field Office. "The FBI and fellow law enforcement will continue to combine our resources and share our expertise to target those who hope to commit similar heinous acts."

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 8, 2022, before United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. Walls was convicted of four counts of kidnapping, one count of interstate stalking, and one count of using a firearm to commit interstate stalking. He faces up to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Memphis Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tony Arvin and Murre Foster are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

###

Jackson, TN- William Hill, Jr., 35, of Lewisville, Texas, has been sentenced to 272 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, James Elmer Sneed was a drug dealer who sold methamphetamine to individuals in Texas, Arkansas, and West Tennessee. Sneed previously sold methamphetamine to a female in Jackson, Tennessee. In January 2018, while traveling from Arkansas to Georgia, Sneed stopped in Jackson to meet with the female and sell her methamphetamine. After his arrival, Sneed was contacted by his co-defendant, William Hill, Jr., who is also a known narcotics distributor. Hill decided to travel to Jackson so that Sneed could arrange a meeting between Hill and the female subject for Hill to sell her drugs.

On January 4, 2018, Sneed rented a hotel room at the Country Inn & Suites in Jackson. After Hill arrived in Jackson, Sneed set up a meeting between Hill and the female subject. Sneed then left Jackson and let Hill use the hotel room for the purposes of storing and selling narcotics to the female and others.

On January 6, 2018, officers with the Jackson Police Department (JPD) were called to the Country Inn and Suites to assist management with the removal of the occupants from Sneed’s room. Management reported heavy foot traffic coming to and from the room, and the odor of marijuana outside the room. In addition, the occupants refused housekeeping service for several days, which was against hotel policy.

After officers entered the room, they observed a meth pipe on the bed and narcotics and money in an open safe. Hill and his girlfriend were removed from the room and Hill was found in possession of the key to the safe. Later that day, members of JPD Metro Narcotics Unit obtained and executed a search warrant for the room. A search of the room revealed over 400 grams of crystal methamphetamine ("ice") in the safe, three sets of digital scales, five meth pipes, cutting agent, and $2,530 in cash.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory tested the methamphetamine and confirmed that the net weight of the substance was 410 grams, and that the purity level was 84%.

On November 9, 2021, after a two-day jury trial, Hill was found guilty of conspiring with Sneed and others to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.

On April 5, 2022, Chief United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Hill to 272 months imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. On February 25, 2022, Sneed was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Assistant United States Attorneys Josh Morrow and Matt Wilson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- Kalonji Warren, 26, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for a carjacking. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 17, 2019, the victim was seated inside his vehicle at the Pump and Munch gas station on East Shelby Drive in Memphis, TN. Kristopher Harris and Kalonji Warren drove Warren’s tan Jeep SUV to the gas station and pulled alongside the victim's vehicle.

Harris pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim, firing one shot into the front passenger-side window of the vehicle. After the victim fled, Warren entered the victim's vehicle and drove away. One shell casing left at the scene was collected as evidence.

Video surveillance captured the suspect’s vehicle in the area and showed Warren enter the gas station prior to the carjacking. Part of the carjacking incident was also captured on video surveillance. During the investigation Kristopher Harris was positively identified.

Kristopher Harris and Kalonji Warren pled guilty to the carjacking charge on October 22, 2021.

On January 21, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Warren to 70 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. On April 1, 2022, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Harris to 97 months imprisonment and two years’ supervised release.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Wendy K. Cornejo and Gregory A. Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- Cordarion K. Thompson of Union City, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 115 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on November 12, 2019, members of the United States Marshals Service executed an arrest warrant for Thompson at his residence in Union City, Tennessee, in relation to an aggravated assault charge. Upon arrival, officers discovered Thompson in the air conditioner return air vent of the apartment. He was placed in custody and found in possession of a black backpack, which contained a loaded Lorcin, .380 caliber pistol. A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) subsequently reviewed this firearm and determined that it was manufactured outside the state of Tennessee.

Thompson waived his Miranda rights and admitted ownership of the firearm. As a convicted felon, Thompson is prohibited from possessing firearms under state and federal law.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Thompson was involved in an altercation with an individual in Union City on November 4, 2019, and during that incident he shot the person in the leg.

On March 29, 2021, United States Chief District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Thompson to 115 months' imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Union City Police Department, United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Jackson, TN- Robert Lee Blackwell, 35, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on December 25, 2018, officers with the Dyersburg Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence in Dyersburg. Upon arriving at the home, an officer observed the defendant look out through a window in the door and then walk to another room. The officer began knocking more insistently until the other resident opened the door. The officer directed Blackwell to speak with other officers while he interviewed the other resident, who was later determined to be the victim of an assault committed by Blackwell. The victim advised that she and Blackwell had been arguing about her leaving to see her family for Christmas. Blackwell then put his hands around her throat, pushed her against the kitchen counter, and choked her. The officer noted bruising around her neck.

The victim then advised that Blackwell was in possession of a gun when the officers arrived, and he threw it in the room next to the front door when the officer began knocking on the door. Blackwell entered the home again and tried to speak with the victim while an officer was interviewing her. Blackwell resisted arrest as officers attempted to detain him. An officer was then required to deploy his taser on Blackwell to obtain his compliance.

Officers subsequently located Blackwell's firearm in the bedroom. The firearm was loaded with seven rounds of .25 caliber ammunition, and an officer located another round on the floor. A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) examined the firearm and identified it as a Lorcin L25, .25 caliber pistol. The agent also determined that the firearm was manufactured outside of Tennessee and that the serial number of the gun had been obliterated beyond recovery.

Blackwell is a convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under state and federal law.

On March 29, 2022, United States Chief District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Blackwell to 84 months' imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Dyersburg Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) investigated this case.

Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- Randy Grayson, 43, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on January 15, 2017, Memphis Police Officers noticed a silver Infiniti G35 with expired license plates, running. As Officers approached the vehicle, they observed Grayson sitting unconscious in the driver’s seat with a black pistol on his lap.

Officers quietly surrounded the vehicle and opened the unlocked driver’s side door. They were able to wake Grayson and retrieve the weapon without incident. The pistol was a Sig .40 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber and several in the magazine. In addition, Grayson had a knife clipped to his waist and a bag of marijuana in his front pocket which contained several individual bags of marijuana, totaling 26.8 grams.

On January 9, 2020, Grayson pled guilty.

Grayson failed to attend his sentencing hearing on June 8, 2020 and remained a fugitive for approximately a year and a half.

On March 25, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Grayson to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. The PSN initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement.

Assistant United States Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

Memphis, TN- Terry Pegues, 27, has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on May 28, 2019, officers with the Memphis Police Department responded to a “shots fired” call on Lenow Park Drive. As officers arrived on the scene, they were informed by several individuals that they had been robbed by "Lil Terry" aka Terry Pegues. The victims advised Pegues pointed an AK assault-style rifle and demanded money. As the victims disbursed their money, one of them pulled a gun and fired at the defendant. Pegues returned fire and fled. Investigators recovered five spent 5.56 shell casings at the scene which were attributed to the gun fired by Pegues. No injuries were reported.
On July 6, 2021, Pegues pled guilty.
In 2014, Pegues was previously sentenced to three years’ incarceration for two robberies in state court. In 2017, he was sentenced in federal court to 37 months followed by three years supervised released for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On November 1, 2019, United States District Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced Pegues to 24 months in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release to be served consecutive to any sentence he received in the new case. As a result of his felony convictions, Pegues is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.
On March 10, 2022, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Pegues to 96 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force. The PSN initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Sam Winnig and Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case. SAUSA Winnig was assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.
###