Western District of Tennessee

Memphis, TN – After a three-day trial, and jurors having deliberated less than 40 minutes, a federal jury found Carlos Landeros-Salcedo, 26, guilty of prohibited person (alien) in possession of a firearm, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.

According to information presented in court, on March 29, 2016, Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit detectives were called to a residence regarding a drug complaint. The homeowner and the defendant were informed of the complaint. The homeowner gave verbal and written consent for law enforcement to search the residence.

The defendant informed officers that he had a gun and powder in his bedroom. He then showed officers his room where a gray Tanfoglio 10mm caliber pistol on the defendant’s bed was in plain view. The firearm was loaded with approximately 10 rounds of ammunition.

Additionally, detectives recovered 21 small bags containing powder cocaine inside a jar in a dresser drawer, an assortment of baggies and a black digital scale. The defendant provided a written statement admitting to possession of the drugs.

In May of 2016, when federal agents interviewed the defendant, he admitted to being a citizen of Mexico and illegally present in the United States.

After being indicted in September 2016 on federal charges, the defendant avoided capture until August 2019. At the time of his arrest, the defendant was in possession of fake immigration documents.

Sentencing is set for May 22, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman, where the defendant faces up to ten years imprisonment for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and up to twenty years imprisonment for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. Additionally, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of at least five years imprisonment for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He also faces possible deportation after completion of his sentence of confinement.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Criminal aliens not only threaten the sovereignty of our nation, but also threaten the safety of our communities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has prioritized and renewed our commitment to immigration enforcement, and this case demonstrates our focus on those violent and dangerous criminal aliens who continue to violate our laws after illegal entry. We commend the outstanding investigative work of HSI and ICE in this case."

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations-Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – James Deshawn Whitelow, 24, has been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on January 31, 2019, Whitelow, who had a warrant for his arrest for attempted murder, was located at a residence in Ripley, Tennessee. The resident allowed law enforcement to enter the home and search the premises. Whitelow was found near a common-area bathroom.

Officers recovered two handguns, a stolen Walther PPS and a Glock 23 with a large capacity magazine. 252 grams of marijuana packaged for resale were found in the toilet tank of the common bathroom. A safe was found in a bedroom with a 50 round drum magazine inside.

The witnesses said Whitelow ran into the bathroom prior to law enforcement entering the home. They further stated Whitelow is known to have guns and to be involved in shootings.

On February 6, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Jon P. McCalla sentenced Whitelow to 108 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D, Michael Dunavant said, "This felon was clearly a dangerous offender, and was wanted for attempted murder when he was found in possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Mr. Whitelow has sowed lawlessness by committing violent and drug crimes, and he will now reap the much deserved consequences of his actions. This sentence removing him from the community for 9 years will make Lauderdale County and West Tennessee a safer place."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ripley Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case.

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

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Memphis, TN – Attorney General William Barr has announced further actions the Department of Justice will take to protect the American people and allow for the proper and lawful functioning of our nation’s federal immigration system. Barr delivered remarks at the National Sheriffs’ Association Winter Legislative and Technology Conference in Washington, D.C., and announced the filings of lawsuits against various jurisdictions around the country, including the State of California, the State of New Jersey, and King County, Washington, alleging that the policies of these states and counties interfere with lawful federal immigration and enforcement activities and jeopardize public safety. Read more details here:

• https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-state-california-california-governor-and-california-attorney-general
• https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-state-new-jersey-new-jersey-governor-and-new-jersey-attorney-general
• https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-king-county-washington-and-king-county-executive-prohibiting-us

Attorney General Barr said: "Today is a significant escalation in the federal government’s efforts to confront the resistance of ‘sanctuary cities.’ But by no means do the efforts outlined above signify the culmination of our fight to ensure the rule of law, to defend the Constitution, and to keep Americans safe. We will consider taking action against any jurisdiction that, or any politician who, unlawfully obstructs the federal enforcement of immigration law." Read the Attorney General’s full remarks at this link: https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-william-p-barr-delivers-remarks-national-sheriffs-association-winter. Sanctuary jurisdiction policies jeopardize public safety by preventing the federal government from locating, arresting, and prosecuting removable aliens inside the United States. While jurisdictions are not compelled by federal law to participate in federal immigration enforcement activities, they are not permitted to actively obstruct the enforcement of federal law.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Our office actively partners with local, state and federal law enforcement across the district to help remove these violent and drug offenders from our communities. I support the actions of Attorney General Barr and join him in our quest to make America’ cities safer by the aggressive and unapologetic federal prosecution of dangerous criminal aliens."

"While the dangers to public safety as a result of sanctuary polices cannot be understated, Homeland Security Investigations in Tennessee is proud to work in cooperation with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure our communities remain safe," stated Jerry C. Templet Jr, Special Agent in Charge, Nashville, Tennessee.

Past examples of dangerous illegal aliens detained and prosecuted through this office include:

• Argel Hernandez-Escobar, 32 – was indicted in December, 2019, for Unlawful Reentry Into the United States After Deportation and Illegal Possession of a Firearm Used in the fatal shooting of his minor child. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/illegal-alien-indicted-unlawful-reentry-united-states-after-deportation-and-illegal.

• Christino Alcazar-Ortiz, 37 and Armando Alcazar-Ortiz, 40, were both sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and Illegal Reentry into the United States after having been previously deported. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/two-illegal-aliens-sentenced-120-months-imprisonment-federal-drug-trafficking-charges.

• An illegal alien from Mexico, Jesus Vega, 38, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/illegal-alien-sentenced-10-years-federal-prison-role-drug-trafficking-organization.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated these cases.

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Memphis, TN –Karl "Shun" Blackmon, 46, has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.

According to the Superseding Indictment and information presented in court, from April 2013 until November 2014, Karl "Shun" Blackmon defrauded the City of Memphis's ("City") Division of Housing and Community Development ("HCD") maintenance program. The purpose of that program is to maintain vacant City-owned lots and properties.

During that time, Karl Blackmon's father, Leon Blackmon, Sr., worked for the City and was in charge of that program. Karl Blackmon recruited at least 13 family, friends, associates, and employees to establish lawn care companies in order to participate in the HCD maintenance program. Karl Blackmon and Leon Blackmon Sr. instructed those recruits to apply for business licenses, obtain federal EIN numbers, open post office boxes and business bank accounts, and apply to become City vendors. Karl Blackmon distributed lists of properties to his recruits, and caused invoices to be submitted for those recruits to Leon Blackmon, Sr. under the City's HCD maintenance program.

At least half of the properties shown on the invoices were fraudulently billed; meaning the work shown was not done. The fraudulent invoices resulted in City checks being generated and mailed to Karl Blackmon's recruits via the U.S. Postal Service. Karl Blackmon met the recruited vendors in Memphis, where he was paid a portion of those recruits' City checks.

As a result of this fraud scheme, the City paid approximately $84,665 under the HCD maintenance program to lawn care companies that Karl Blackmon recruited. Charges against Leon Blackmon, Sr. and eight other alleged co-conspirators are still pending.

Sentencing for Karl Blackmon is scheduled for May 22, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman, where he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This long-term fraudulent scheme had significant financial consequences to the public interests of the City of Memphis, and created unfair business advantages for vendors in the HCD Maintenance Program. This office is committed to the protection of the integrity of public services, and schemes to defraud programs or compromise public office will not be tolerated. This case demonstrates our commitment to protect taxpayer resources from such disturbing crimes of dishonesty, and to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in government programs."

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Damon Griffin and Murre Foster are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Arkiest Young, 38, has pleaded guilty to attempted Hobbs Act business robbery. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty pleas today.

According to information presented in court, on January 3, 2018, two men entered the Circle K at 6565 Mt. Moriah, brandishing firearms and demanding money, one wearing blue latex gloves. One suspect also pointed a handgun at a customer who was already inside the business. The customer was armed, and fired at the suspects. As the suspects fled the business, they returned fire at the customer. A witness reported that the two suspects were driven away in a red or maroon cube-like vehicle.

Shortly thereafter, a shooting victim was dropped off at Delta Medical Hospital, who claimed he was shot in a drive-by shooting. Memphis Police Officers responded to both scenes, compared surveillance video from the Circle K with clothing from the individual at Delta Medical, and identified Davonte Gary, 21, as one of the robbery suspects.

As officers were executing a search warrant at suspect Cortez Young’s apartment, a red Chevrolet HHR, which could be described as a cube-like vehicle, arrived on the scene, occupied by Arkiest Young. The HHR had been reported stolen. Officers found a handgun and a box of blue latex gloves inside the HHR. Arkiest Young was taken into custody, waived his Miranda rights, and admitted to driving the HHR and dropping off Gary at Delta Medical Hospital on January 3.

Charges against Devonte Gary are still pending. Cortez Young, 23, has already pleaded guilty to this business robbery and other robbery and firearms offenses, and will be sentenced later this year.

Sentencing for Arkiest Young is scheduled for May 8, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker, where he faces up to 20 years in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Armed business robbery that harms store owners and threatens customers must be dealt with swiftly and certainly. That means holding all parties to the crime accountable, including getaway drivers and others who aid and abet such brazen violence. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force has dramatically increased the clearance rate of armed business robbery cases, and because of their quick response and outstanding investigation in this case, these violent offenders will be rightly incapacitated and punished."

The Memphis Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigated this case.

U.S. Attorneys Kevin Whitmore and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Winnig are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

 

 

Memphis, TN – On February 6, 2020, after a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted Zachary Fuchs, 37, of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.

According to information presented in court, on June 6, 2018, Fuchs was traveling eastbound on Highway 70 in Gallaway, Tennessee, a small town located in Fayette County. He passed a Gallaway police officer, who noticed that his vehicle had no license plate. The officer initiated a traffic stop and observed the driver of the vehicle moving around and rocking the vehicle back and forth. As the officer approached the vehicle, the driver became very agitated and confrontational. He was identified as Zachary Fuchs.

The officer and his supervisor who arrived on the scene searched the vehicle. They located a small bag with methamphetamine residue under the driver's seat and recovered 1.1 pounds (475 grams) of methamphetamine underneath the radio.

The defendant was arrested and the drugs were sent to the DEA laboratory to be tested. Lab analysis confirmed the drugs were 475 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine. At trial, it was determined that the amount of methamphetamine was valued between $5,500 and $6,500 and contained thousands of dosage units.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris. Fuchs faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities. Drug dealers who profit from the pain, addiction,

violence and death caused by these dangerous substances must be held accountable, and this guilty verdict does just that."

This case was investigated by the Gallaway Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Special Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Griffith and Sean Hord are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

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Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee collected $7,467,543.96 in criminal and civil actions during Calendar year 2019. Of that amount, $5,442,925.21 was collected through civil actions and $2,024,618.75 stemmed from fines and restitution ordered as part of criminal convictions.

Two cases that generated significant collection efforts include United States of America and the State of Tennessee ex rel. Dr. L. Darryl Quarles v. Satellite Healthcare, Inc., UT Medical Group, Inc., and WellBound of Memphis, LLC, and United States ex rel. Pińon v. CQuentia Series LLC d/b/a CQuentia Labs, Total Diagnostix, LLC, and Decatur Hospital Authority, d/b/a Wise Regional Health Systems, both generating $3,198,o64.69 and $431,182.96 respectively.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Protection of the United States Treasury and taxpayer resources is a core value and critical mission for this office and the Department of Justice. Equally as important is the priority of collecting restitution for victims of crime in order to punish offenders and provide justice for the harm and loss suffered by victims. I commend the outstanding work of our Criminal Division, Civil Division, and Financial Litigation Unit in aggressively pursuing and effectively collecting this amount on behalf of victims of crime and the United States."

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the U.S. Department of Justice’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Calendar year 2019 collections include recovery of government money lost to criminal fraud and other misconduct and recovery of money lost by victims as a result of individual and corporate misconduct. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Memphis, TN – Quinton Yates, 50, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and for Possession of an Unregistered Shotgun with a Barrel Less Than 18 Inches. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on August 23, 2018, detectives from the Memphis Police Department, Organized Crime Unit (OCU) were conducting a drug investigation on Young Street. While detectives were standing outside of their vehicles, Quinton Yates exited a residence and began firing shots at them. Detectives leapt into their vehicles to clear the line of fire. As one of the detectives returned fire, Yates retreated inside the house. A SWAT team set up a barricade/perimeter around the house and a standoff ensued.

Several hours later, Yates and three other individuals who were in the home surrendered. Law enforcement recovered three firearms, including an assault rifle, a sawed-off barrel shotgun and a .22 long rifle caliber revolver. Yates admitted to opening fire on the detectives from the residence but stated he did not know they were police officers. He also stated the three individuals at his home had nothing to do with the shooting.

Yates is a convicted felon, having prior convictions for robbery, aggravated assault, and carjacking, and was still on parole at the time of this shooting incident. As a result of these previous violent felony convictions, Yates was determined to be an armed career criminal under the federal sentencing guidelines, and subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months.

On February 3, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Jon P. McCalla, sentenced Yates to 188 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, as seen in this case. Yates was an armed career criminal who continued to possess and use multiple firearms while on parole for violent felonies. This sentence is just punishment for such a brazen attack on police, and will incapacitate him from committing additional gun violence for a significant period of time, making us all safer. Gun Crime is Max Time."

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit (OCU), Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Jerome Lavell McBride, 39, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on December 12, 2017, as a law enforcement officer was traveling northbound on Highway 45W in his undercover vehicle when a crown Victoria passed him at a high rate of speed of approximately 70 mph in a 55 mph zone, so he initiated a traffic stop.

During the traffic stop, the agent observed a plastic baggy containing marijuana hanging out of the defendant’s pocket. A subsequent search of the vehicle produced a Lorcin .380 caliber pistol along with 15 individually wrapped bags of marijuana and $494.

The defendant has previously been convicted of 2nd degree robbery (KY), 2nd degree burglary (KY), second degree assault (KY), reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault. Because of these previous violent felony convictions, McBride was determined to be an armed career criminal under the federal sentencing guidelines, and subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months.

On January 30, 2020, Senior U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced McBride to 188 months in federal prison followed by 4 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and in this case, the defendant was an armed career criminal who continued to possess a firearm despite his prior violent felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this is one more gun-toter removed from our streets for a very long time."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

5 Defendants Sentenced to a Total of 95 Years in Prison for Federal Violent Crime and Drug Offenses

 

Memphis, TN – Shuntario Johnson, 38, has been sentenced to 371 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, carjacking and aiding and abetting an attempted robbery. Overall, a five members and associates of an armed robbery crew and drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to a total of 1,143 months imprisonment for their various roles in a drug conspiracy, possession of a firearms in furtherance of a Violent Crimes and Drug Trafficking Crimes, carjacking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.

On August 8, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an 11-count fifth superseding indictment against the following individuals:

Marcus Danner, 39

Quintez Agnew, 34

Shuntario Johnson, 38

John Lott, 30

Crystal Deener. 26

According to information presented in court, Danner, Agnew, Lott, and Johnson were members of an armed robbery crew that targeted narcotics traffickers in the Memphis area. The indictment followed a four-month investigation involving agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as well as other state and local agencies, in which Johnson and his co-defendants were alleged to have participated

in a conspiracy to rob drug dealers in Memphis. Lott and Deener were also indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to tamper with evidence in the case. During the investigation,

agents seized multiple firearms, approximately $2,000 in U.S. currency, and approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine. See announcement of original indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/four-members-armed-robbery-crew-have-been-indicted-committing-robberies-throughout

On September 9, 2019, Shuntario Johnson demanded a jury trial on the fifth superseding indictment. Accordingly, the United States presented the following proof at trial:

On January 09, 2018, the victim "R.S." drove Johnson and an unknown male subject, identified as Johnson’s brother-in-law, to acquire marijuana from an apartment complex in Memphis, Tennessee. After acquiring the marijuana, "R.S." stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Castalia Street and East Mclemore at which time Johnson who was in the front seat, displayed a silver semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at "R.S." head and said "give me what you got." "R.S." stated that the second suspect, sitting in the back seat, also pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at the victim. "R.S." advised Memphis Police Department officers that he gave the suspects his wallet and five dollars and was ordered out of the vehicle. "R.S." stated that once he exited his vehicle he began to run on foot as Johnson exited the vehicle, Johnson fired "multiple shots" at "R.S."

At the crime scene, MPD officers recovered two 9mm shell casings at the location of the shooting. A ballistics examination of the two 9mm shell casings from the crime scene were compared to a firearm recovered from Johnson on January 25, 2019.

On January 25, 2019, during Johnson’s arrest for his involvement in a drug conspiracy, he pointed a firearm at an ATF Agent then fled from the officers, throwing the firearm to the ground before his apprehension. The firearm was recovered during a search of the area, revealing that the firearm was a 9mm Ruger handgun. A ballistics examination of the firearm and the two shell casings recovered from the crime scene of the carjacking revealed that the 9mm Ruger handgun had fired the bullets and matched the 9mm shell casings. Later, Johnson stated to ATF Agents that Danner had given him the 9mm Ruger handgun.

Evidence was also presented that Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson attempted to rob "B.B" of his drug proceeds as stated in count six. During this incident, Johnson shot "V.R." "V.R." was not fatally injured and recovered from the gunshot. However, "V.R." died of an unrelated health issue prior to Johnson’s trial.

Evidence was also presented that Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson conspired to rob a stash house of cocaine. On January 25, 2019, Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson arrived at a location in Shelby County to rob what they believed to be a drug dealer. During this sting operation by the ATF, Danner, Agnew, Lott and Johnson were arrested.

On September 17, 2019, Johnson was convicted by a jury of counts 2, 3, 4 and 8 of the fifth superseding indictment.

On January 30, 2020, United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Johnson to a total sentence of 371 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release for his involvement in these multiple crimes.

On January 10, 2019, John Lott was sentenced to a total sentence of 420 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release, by United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/john-lott-sentenced- 420-months-imprisonment-member-armed-robbery-crew-and-drug

On January 16, 2019, Quintez Agnew pled guilty to counts 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10, before United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. However, prior to sentencing, Agnew died of suicide.

On March 1, 2019, Marcus Danner was sentenced to 352 months imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release, by United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/marcus-danner-sentenced-352-months-imprisonment-leader-armed-robbery-crew-and-member

On February 21, 2019, Crystal Deener was sentenced to 1 day time served, followed by two years’ supervised release, by United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.

U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "Armed Robbery crews made up of violent felons will NOT continue to terrorize and endanger our communities in West Tennessee with impunity. We use all available law enforcement and prosecutorial resources to pursue, disrupt, and dismantle groups and conspiracies that are most responsible for violence and drug dealing, and to remove dangerous offenders with firearms from our streets. I commend the great investigative work of ATF and our local partners in neutralizing this violent recidivist and this crew of trigger-pullers and traffickers."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU) comprised of investigators from the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Gregory Allen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – After demanding and starting a federal jury trial, Arnold Eden, 52, has pleaded guilty to bank robbery before the completion of proof in the case. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on July 3, 2017, at approximately 1:17 p.m., the Hope Federal Credit Union located at 2923 Ridgeway Road, was robbed by threatened force and coercion. Hope Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. A male entered the credit union, approached the teller, and provided a note demanding money. The teller recalled the note stating, "I have a gun. I have nothing to lose. I want two stacks of hundreds." The teller complied and provided $2,602 in cash. The suspect then fled the scene.

The robber was described on video surveillance wearing a black "Kangol" hat; a white t-shirt turned inside out, black shorts, and tennis shoes. The robber was described as being 6’2", weighing 160-170lbs, 55-60 years of age, with a gray beard.

While exiting the credit union, video depicts the robber touching the interior glass door. Officers with the Memphis Police Department lifted latent fingerprints which were identified as belonging to the defendant.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris, where Eden faces up to 20 years in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Bank robbery is a violent crime that threatens the very fabric of our financial institutions that provide commercial services to citizens and the community. These disturbing and brazen acts of violence will not be tolerated, and will be met with firm resolve, quick investigative action, and aggressive federal prosecution. By collaborating with our federal, state and local partners, we will use every available resource to ensure the safety of our citizens and security of our banking institutions."

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General‘s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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MEMPHIS - "The DEA emergency prohibition of fentanyl analogues expires on February 6 without congressional action. Fentanyl and its analogues are responsible for multiple overdose deaths in West Tennessee. Without action by Congress, my law enforcement partners and I will not have the tools we need to protect families and communities from the onslaught of these extraordinarily dangerous substances."

"We have seen a transition in the source of fentanyl finding its way into West Tennessee communities. Initially, law enforcement officers found fentanyl from China in relatively small amounts in West Tennessee. In a dangerous turn of events, law enforcement officials are now intercepting increasing amounts of Mexican cartel-produced fentanyl. The cartels are using their established and prolific distribution networks to deliver fentanyl – a substance that is exponentially more dangerous than both methamphetamine and heroin.We continue to be very aggressive in prosecuting these cases, as shown by these recent examples:"

11/4/19 - Jackson Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/jackson-man-sentenced-15-years-possession-intent-distribute-heroin-and-fentanyl

10/17/19 - Five Members of a Large-Scale Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution Network Indicted https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/five-members-large-scale-heroin-and-fentanyl-distribution-network-indicted

7/23/19 - Convicted Felon Sentenced to 130 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl while Possessing a Firearm https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/convicted-felon-sentenced-130-months-federal-prison-distributing-fentanyl-while

6/3/19 - Lobelville, Tennessee Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/lobelville-tennesseeman-sentenced-240-months-conspiracy-distribute-methamphetamine-and

5/31/19 - Jackson Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl Causing Overdoses in Gibson and Madison Counties https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/jackson-man-sentenced-federal-prison-distributing-heroin-and-fentanyl-causing-overdoses

3/7/19 - 32-Year-Old Memphis Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distributing a Lethal Dose of Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/32-year-old-memphis-man-sentenced-20-years-distributing-lethal-dose-fentanyl

5/1/18 -Memphis Man Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Distribution of Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/memphis-man-sentenced-10-years-imprisonment-distribution-fentanyl

"Our nation, state, and district are suffering from the imminent threat of deadly fentanyl, causing increases in drug trafficking, violence, addiction, and overdose deaths that are tearing families and communities apart. I am urging Congress to give us the tools we need to continue our efforts against the distribution of fentanyl and its analogues here in West Tennessee. This fight is far from over. We need every tool we have to target this dangerous drug, hold dealers accountable, deter others from selling poison to our citizens, and save lives. Congress must take action immediately to extend the scheduling of these dangerous substances."

Background: In an effort to combat this deadly drug epidemic, DEA issued a temporary emergency two-year order in February 2018 that made all fentanyl-related substances illegal. Our country has seen a marked supply impact from DEA’s temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances during the past two years, with a 50 percent decrease in fentanyl-related substances encountered across the United States. However, DEA’s emergency authority expires at midnight on February 6, 2020, unless Congress acts to extend it.

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Memphis, TN – An illegal alien from Mexico, Jesus Vega, 38, has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, in August 2018, investigators with the DEA and the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force recovered 11 pounds of methamphetamine from a driver in Decatur County during a routine traffic stop. The driver identified Jesus Vega as the leader of a Memphis drug trafficking organization supplying methamphetamine and heroin into and through West Tennessee.

On October 1, 2018, investigators intercepted and seized 31 pounds of methamphetamine in Vega's house located in Memphis. Other co-conspirators in the drug trafficking organization were also indicted, and have already been convicted and sentenced in this matter. Over the course of the investigation, agents in multiple states recovered over 400 pounds of methamphetamine and 5 kilograms of heroin, all either in Memphis or destined for the Memphis area.

On January 22, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Vega to 121 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. After completion of his custodial sentence, Vega will be subject to deportation by U.S. Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement & Removal Operations (ERO).

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "West Tennessee is a major logistics hub for the country, and drug trafficking organizations transport large quantities into and through our communities. Because distribution of illegal narcotics is NOT a victimless crime, we use every available resource to disrupt and dismantle these conspiracies and hold them accountable for distributing poisonous illegal drugs that cause addiction, injury, and death. We commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal and local law

enforcement partners in this important case involving significant seizures of dangerous narcotics."

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated this case.

This case was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF), which seeks to investigate and prosecute large-scale drug trafficking and violence involving multiple districts across the United States.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Griffith prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. This case is part of the Heroin Initiative in collaboration with the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office.

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Memphis, TN – On December 6, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted former Memphis Police Officer, Sam Blue, 61, and co-conspirator, Anthony Davis, for federal criminal civil rights violations which included the violent crimes of robbery and kidnapping. On January 24, 2020, Blue pled guilty to conspiracy to violate civil rights by using force, violence, and intimidation, and conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce. On January 24, 2020, Davis pled guilty to conspiracy to violate civil rights by using force, violence, and intimidation, conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, and aiding and abetting the deprivation of civil rights by kidnapping. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty pleas today.

According to information presented in court, between 2014 and 2018 Sam Blue, a sworn Memphis Police Department officer, conspired with others to rob drug dealers of drugs or drug proceeds. Prior to the planned robberies, various co-conspirators would conduct surveillance of the targets. Officer Blue provided his co-conspirators with information, such as home addresses for the targets of the robberies, obtained from law enforcement restricted sources. Blue also 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 appear to be law enforcement.

In July 2018, Eric Cain was selected as a robbery target by the conspirators. The defendants began conducting surveillance on Cain and put a GPS tracker on his car. Blue provided the gate code used by law enforcement to access Cain’s apartment complex in furtherance of the plan to commit the robbery.

On July 13, 2018, as Cain was leaving his apartment in Memphis around 4:30 a.m. a black car with flashing blue lights pulled up behind his car. Cain believed he was being stopped by law enforcement. Two of the defendants, dressed in black clothing with the word "police" on it and wearing masks and armed with handguns, got out of the car with the flashing lights and ordered Cain to get out of his car and get on the ground. Cain obeyed and the men handcuffed him, put a hood over his face, and placed him in the back of their car. The defendants then drove Cain to a house on Reese Road here in Memphis.

At this new location, Cain was taken inside the house and restrained while the defendants beat him, burned him on his arms, neck, and head, and demanded that he tell them where he kept his money and/or drugs. Cain was able to escape by jumping through the front window of the house. He was hospitalized for a week in the burn unit and underwent surgery for his injuries.

Sentencing for Blue is scheduled for May 21, 2020, and sentencing for Davis is scheduled for May 28, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. where they each face sentences of up to life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "A very low percentage of law enforcement officers engage in official misconduct and corruption, but when they do, it tarnishes the entire criminal justice system and damages the trust and confidence of citizens in proper police authority. When police officers use their badges to violate and oppress civil rights by robbery and kidnapping, it is our duty to expose their corruption, hold them accountable, and protect society from their violence and dishonesty. These guilty pleas and significant potential sentences will hopefully deter other violent and corrupt police behavior, restore the public’s faith in honest officers, and send a strong message that nobody is above the law."

This case was investigated by the FBI Tarnished Badge Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Memphis, TN – Herbert Graham, 32, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on January 30, 2018, Memphis Police Officers responded to a burglary/aggravated assault call on Kimbark Woods Drive. The residents advised they observed a family friend, Herbert Graham, steal a laptop from their back bedroom and escape through the window. The victims searched the neighborhood until they located Graham walking toward Raleigh Lagrange. They demanded Graham return the laptop; instead Graham pulled a firearm out of his pants, pointed the weapon and threatened to kill them. The victims left and notified law enforcement.

As officers made the scene, they observed Graham walking on Chiswood Street with the laptop in hand. Graham saw the officers, dropped the laptop and fled from police onto the school property of Memphis Rise Academy. Officers gave chase and observed Graham toss a magazine and a gun on the ground. A faculty member observed the firearm on school grounds and an immediate lock down of the school was put in place to ensure the safety of the students. Minutes later, Graham was apprehended on the school campus. The firearm and magazine were recovered near the gymnasium and music room.

The magazine was loaded with 15 live rounds and the gun held one live round in the chamber. The gun, a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol was reported stolen in 2016, out of Shelby County. Graham has prior convictions for aggravated burglary and aggravated assault, as well as a prior conviction for being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

On January 22, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Graham to 120 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger and threat to the community. Under our PSN initiative, we focus on removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons, and removing dangerous felons from our streets. Clearly, this felon had no hesitation in committing a violent crime with a firearm and further endangering school faculty and students. He will now be rightly punished and incapacitated for 10 years for his recidivist threatening behavior with a gun.

This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force, which includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office; the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Memphis Police Department; and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, who have all joined together to address gun-related crimes through targeted investigations and aggressive prosecution.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raney Irwin and Marques Young prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Richard Mukes, 33, of Memphis has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on October 5, 2018, Memphis Police officers responded to a domestic violence call on Browning Avenue. The victim advised police that when she tried to end her relationship with her boyfriend, Richard Mukes, he became angry and began making threats towards her. The victim was at home with her mother, niece and nephews at the time. The victim further advised Mukes came to her front door to retrieve his belongings around two o'clock in the morning. When she refused to let him in, he became extremely irate and began beating on the door. Mukes drew a firearm and fired four shots in the air before leaving the residence.

Officers searched the area for Mukes and observed him walking northbound on Pendleton away from the residence. The officers could see Mukes holding a black handgun and gave verbal commands to drop the weapon. Mukes began to flee on foot and then threw the gun on the ground on Pendleton. After a brief chase, officers captured Mukes and the firearm, a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol, was recovered.

Mukes has prior violent felony convictions for aggravated robbery and aggravated assault, and as a result, was prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1).

On January 16, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Mukes to the maximum statutory penalty, 120 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The presence of a firearm during a crime of domestic violence dramatically increases the chances that the victim or other family members in the household, including children, will be fatally shot. Under our PSN initiative, we focus on removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons, and removing dangerous felons from our streets. Clearly, this recidivist had no hesitation in committing a violent domestic crime with a firearm, and he will now be removed from the community for 10 years. We are FED UP. Gun Crime is Max Time."

The Memphis Police Department, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Davonte Gary, 21, and Johnathan Johnson, 26, have been indicted for assaulting correctional officers. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the indictments today.

According to the indictments, on October 16, 2019, Gary, an inmate at West Tennessee Detention Facility, assaulted a correctional officer by placing him in a headlock. The correctional officer was engaged in official duties when attacked. Gary was in custody pending trial for a Hobbs Acts Robbery.

On September 9, 2019, Johnson, also an inmate at West Tennessee Detention Facility, struck two correctional officers in the head and face with a closed fist. Two months prior to this incident, Johnson had been sentenced in Federal District Court to 84 months imprisonment on federal drug charges.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "No other group of Americans has a more difficult or less publicly visible job than the dedicated men and women who work in our correctional facilities. Assaulting any federal correctional officer who is engaged in the performance of their official duties is a serious violation of federal law, and will not be tolerated. This office takes very seriously our duty to protect the safety of correctional employees and the security of federal detention facilities, and these indictments demonstrate that commitment to promote institutional safety and control by strict enforcement of the rule of law."

Pete Bludworth, Warden, West Tennessee Detention Facility, said: "Our top priority is the safety of our staff and those entrusted to our care. We appreciate all the efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee in this case, and share their commitment to keeping our communities safe."

"The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to ensuring the safety of the employees of our correctional detention partners. Persons being held in detention by the Marshals Service must understand there will be consequences for their actions," said Jeffrey Holt, U.S. Marshal.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to eight years imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

The West Tennessee Detention Facility investigated these cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Smith is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.

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

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Memphis, TN – In October 2019, a federal jury convicted Wendy Thomas, 39. Thomas has now been sentenced to 114 months imprisonment for robbery of mail, money or other property of the United States and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on November 21, 2016, at approximately 12:50 p.m., U.S. Postal Inspectors responded to the robbery of a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier in the area of 890 Baltic Street. The gunman approached the letter carrier and pointed a semi-automatic handgun as she was placing her mail satchel in her postal truck.

The suspect asked for cash or checks that were in the vehicle. He then went through the mail and took several envelopes and packages. As the suspect was leaving, he threatened the letter carrier and told her "to stay back, don’t move until I leave or I am going to blow your damn head off." The gunman fled in a blue 2005 Toyota Matrix. Investigators later determined that Wendy Thomas was the getaway driver and that Jamal Cherry was the gunman.

The robbery was captured by a nearby home surveillance video camera. Surveillance video footage depicts Cherry exiting the Toyota Matrix to rob the letter carrier. The video then showed Thomas slide from the passenger side of the vehicle to the driver's side to ready herself for Cherry's return. When Cherry completed the robbery, Thomas sped off from the scene in the Toyota Matrix. During an interview with U.S. Postal Inspectors, Thomas admitted to being on the scene and driving Cherry away from the robbery.

On September 15, 2017, Cherry pled guilty to the armed robberies of two U.S. Postal Service letter carriers and received a sentence of 13 years in federal prison.

On January 16, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Thomas to 114 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This office takes very seriously our duty to protect the safety of United States Postal Service employees and the sanctity and security of the U.S. Mail. Armed robberies of Postal carriers are brazen and disturbing acts of violence that attack our government institutions and terrorize our community, and must be met with significant consequences. These dangerous offenders have sown violence and greed, and as a result of these sentences, they will now reap the full measure of consequences for their criminal conduct."

"We are very pleased with this sentence, as we think it adequately reflects the serious and dangerous nature of the crime involved. A large part of the Postal Inspection Service mission is assuring the safety of postal employees. These types of crimes against postal employees are rare, but when they do occur, they are the top priority for us," said David McGinnis, Inspector-In-Charge of the Charlotte Division.

The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN -We are pleased to join together today as the leaders of federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies in Memphis and Shelby County to announce the crime statistics for 2019 in the City of Memphis. Special thanks goes to Deputy Chief Don Crowe at the Memphis Police Department for compiling and making these crime statistics available for our use and analysis on a regular basis. As you will see from the reported numbers, we are pleased to announce that overall Part I crime decreased by 6.3% in all precincts of the city, and in most major categories. Violent crime also decreased by 8.2% in 2019, adding to a two-year total decrease of 13.1% since 2017.

While none of us can take individual credit for these positive public safety outcomes, these numbers represent the collective work, vision, collaboration, and coordination of resources, specialties, and priorities of all of the law-enforcement agencies assembled here today. These significant decreases in major violent crime categories demonstrate that our policies, initiatives, and task force models are working to target and remove the most violent and repeat offenders from our community, which in turn improves overall public safety for law abiding citizens.

Three years ago, all of these agencies committed to participation in the Public Safety Partnership, also known as PSP, where the Department of Justice provided training and technical assistance for us to develop data-driven best practices and coordinated policies to drive down violent crime. We are now starting to see the positive fruits of our labors, and these numbers are more than just tough on crime or smart on crime rhetoric. These quantitative measures represent real lives saved, real victims avoided, and better quality of life for citizens, neighborhoods, and businesses in Memphis. To quote the Mayor, Memphis has Momentum in many areas, and now that momentum includes violent and overall crime reduction in a sustained and meaningful way. The anecdotal stories of crime that we often tell are now confirmed by the statistical results of our labor.

Reducing violent crime requires comprehensive and collaborative strategies. It also takes courage from all law enforcement agencies to find solutions that work, and commitment to follow through with them with sustainable approaches and long-term investments. This group of law enforcement leaders has done just that.

When armed carjacking incidents spiked in Memphis and Shelby County over 65% in late 2017, we launched the Carjacking Initiative to coordinate investigations and prosecutions, and as a result, carjacking incidents have decreased this past year by 12.1%.

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force has gotten back to the basics of response to and investigation of armed bank and business robberies, dramatically increasing the clearance rate of those cases. As a result, the incident rate of business robberies declined by 25.8% in 2019.

In August, 2019, the U.S. Marshals Service conducted a joint initiative with all of these agencies known as "Operation Bluff City Blues", which arrested 214 fugitives, many of whom had outstanding warrants for violent crimes. That successful operation included a total of 79 identified gang members, 65 individuals for aggravated assault, 34 individuals for homicide, 69 individuals for weapons offenses, and 40 individuals for drug offenses.

Over the last 2 years, the Department of Justice has invested resources into Memphis to combat violent crime, and we are using them effectively. The ATF has established a Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) to use the technology of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to better respond to, solve, and correlate shooting incidents. The ATF has also added new agents to the Gun Strike Force, who is working with the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU) to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs and remove violent offenders from the streets of Memphis.

Because we know that violent crime is often associated with and motivated by drug trafficking activities, we have partnered with the DEA and the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit in our Heroin Initiative to identify and stop the source of supply, punish and deter heroin and fentanyl dealers, prevent new users, refer addicts to treatment, deploy Narcan to hotspots, and save lives.

Our reinvigorated Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task force is continuing their great work in coordinating and prioritizing firearms offenses for aggressive prosecutions, which take guns out of the hands of dangerous and violent offenders.

In a new approach led by the District Attorney’s Office that is already paying dividends, we have fully committed to "Operation Comeback," a focused deterrence crime-reduction strategy in which carefully selected high-risk offenders are advised of swift, severe and certain punishment for continued criminal behavior, while at the same time being offered social services such as job training, education, housing assistance, drug and alcohol treatment, counseling, life skills and anger management.

And finally, our newest initiative, "Operation Relentless Pursuit", will surge new federal resources and agents into Memphis to further reduce violent crime. As a result of federal grant funding, Memphis and Shelby County will be able to hire more officers, obtain new technology, training, vehicles, and other personnel, and assign more officers to federal task forces to effectively target violent offenders and hot spots. The first phase of the operation is being led by the U.S. Marshals Service, and the name of the operation speaks directly to its proactive nature and sustained duration.

Our return to proven law enforcement policies and our adoption of new initiatives and resources is working. Here in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we have dramatically increased our output in the number of firearms, violent crime, drug and gang prosecutions over the last 2 years, and the welcome outcome has been improved public safety. Putting the right people in prison incapacitates the most violent offenders, upholds the rule of law, deters criminal conduct with a strong message of significant consequences, and makes us all safer.

While many persistent violent crime challenges remain and much work is still needed in these areas, we are optimistic about these downward trends in crime, and we look forward to continuing to implement effective strategies with resolve and commitment to public safety in Memphis and Shelby County.

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Jackson, TN – Following a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court, Jeffery Lee Davis, 59, of Trenton, TN, was found guilty of possession of over 5 grams of actual methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.

According to information presented in court, on July 6, 2017, officers with 28th Judicial District Drug Task Force executed an arrest warrant on the defendant, Jeffery Lee Davis, at his home in Trenton, Tennessee. Prior to his arrest, officers observed Davis sitting at a desk in his home weighing methamphetamine on a set of drug scales and packaging the methamphetamine for resale. Davis was arrested and officers seized the methamphetamine on the desk as well as an additional bag of methamphetamine found on Davis' person.

In total, Davis possessed and intended to distribute approximately 27 grams of actual methamphetamine with a 98% purity level. Davis has an extensive criminal history, including multiple prior methamphetamine manufacturing and trafficking convictions, as well as convictions for assault and burglary.

Sentencing is scheduled before U.S. District Court Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson on April 7, 2020, where Davis faces a mandatory-minimum sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Davis is a recidivist drug offender who was destroying this rural community by his sale of highly potent and poisonous drugs, and his prior felony convictions have finally caught up with him. Thanks to the great investigative work by our state and local law enforcement partners at the 28th Judicial District Drug Task Force, he has been held accountable and will be removed from the community."

This case was investigated by the 28th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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

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Memphis, TN - Charles Eason, 44, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon illegally in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, Memphis police officers pulled over the car Eason was driving in January 2017. Eason had a loaded shotgun in his possession. Eason had numerous prior felony convictions at the time, including five Tennessee convictions for promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Eason pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). The default sentencing range for a § 922(g) violation is zero to 10 years in prison. However, under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), a defendant convicted of § 922(g) who has three prior convictions for serious drug offenses is subject to an enhanced mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months.

In a prior appeal in this case, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Eason’s five prior convictions for promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine were serious drug offenses under the ACCA. Upon resentencing on remand on January 10, 2020, U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Eason to 180 months (15 years) under the ACCA.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Serious drug offenses are NOT non-violent crimes, and convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to the community. In this case, Eason was a career drug offender who possessed a loaded firearm despite his multiple prior convictions for serious drug offenses involving the manufacture of methamphetamine. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this mandatory sentence is just punishment for a recalcitrant armed drug offender."

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

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Phillips and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – On December 9, 2019, Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth C. Boswell was selected as a recipient of a 2019 Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, and received the award at the Criminal Division’s Annual Awards Ceremony in the Great Hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Main Justice Building in Washington, D.C. Ms. Boswell was selected for the AAG Award for Distinguished Service to recognize her superior performance in the case of United States v. Byron Montrail Purdy, et al. (Gangster Disciples Prosecution), a large RICO conspiracy case known as "Operation .38 Special", which was originally indicted in May, 2016, charging a total of 16 members of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise with racketeering and other crimes. Ms. Boswell was the lead AUSA in this significant gang prosecution, and led a team of trial attorneys who were also recognized with an AAG Award, including Sam Stringfellow, Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Mississippi, and Trial Attorneys Francesca Liquori and Shauna Hale of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

The prosecution team was recognized for their outstanding work in the investigation and prosecution of members and associates of the Chicago-based violent street gang, the Gangster Disciples. The Gangster Disciples is a criminal organization with a national presence. Since its inception in the 1980s, the organization has expanded its reach into at least 35 states. In the last several decades, it has made a name for itself as being one of the four most violent gangs in Chicago. Similarly, the Gangster Disciples are active in Tennessee, where it is considered one of the state’s most prominent and violent gangs. The gang is well known for the distribution of narcotics, trafficking in firearms, and violent crimes including murder, attempted murder, assault, and witness intimidation.

The prosecution team in this case, working with an FBI-led multi-agency gang unit that included agents and officers from the ATF, the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, investigated a plethora of violent crimes committed by leaders and members of the Gangster Disciples. In doing so, they were able to bring together a comprehensive racketeering indictment that documented over 20 years of criminal conduct in Memphis, Jackson, and multiple smaller communities throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, and Georgia that was committed to further the unlawful ends of this enterprise, including shootings, robberies, and the widespread trafficking of cocaine and marijuana. In all, the prosecution team secured the indictment of 16 of the most violent leaders and members of the Gangster Disciples operating in West Tennessee. Through long hours of hard work in trial preparation, multiple evidentiary hearings, and continued investigation, the trial team ultimately secured the conviction by plea to racketeering charges for all 16 defendants, which resulted in sentences as high as 30 and 35 years for the most serious offenders. This prosecution significantly damaged the national Gangster Disciples organization, eliminating some of its most powerful leaders, removing the gang from its key territory, and dismantling an important part of its organization. The prosecution team’s success in dismantling this important network of the gang in West Tennessee was exemplary.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Annie Christoff, as well as Legal Assistants Laura Miller and LaTonya Weeks also assisted Ms. Boswell and contributed to the overall success of this case in a significant way.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The importance of this RICO case cannot be overstated, and Ms. Boswell’s leadership in this massive disruption and dismantlement of the Gangster Disciples organization, including several governors, enforcers, and ranking members of the gang, was outstanding and deserves recognition at the highest levels of the Department of Justice. I am proud of the work and dedication of all of our employees in the Western District of Tennessee, and this award is further evidence of our collective commitment to the important mission and priorities of DOJ."

Pictured from left to right are: Deputy Assistant Attorney General David Rybicki; Shauna S. Hale, Trial Attorney, Organized Crime and Gang Section; Francesca Liquori, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey; Beth C. Boswell, Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Tennessee; Sam Stringfellow, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Mississippi; and Brian Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division.

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Memphis, TN - A former loan officer at Trustmark Bank has been sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison in connection with a fraudulent loan scheme. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

Robert A. Whartenby, age 58 of Memphis, pleaded guilty in September to a one-count criminal information which charged him with bank fraud. According to the information, Whartenby, a former loan officer at Trustmark’s main Memphis office, defrauded Trustmark of almost $400,000 between May 2017 and June 2018. Whartenby submitted false paperwork in support of loans to Memphis Designs Group, LLC and Windridge Investments, fictitious companies he had created. The loan proceeds were then disbursed to accounts at Bank of America, which Whartenby had opened in the names of the fictitious entities.

On December 20, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Whartenby to 18 months in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $351,927.04 and to serve a period of two years supervision under the United States Probation Office following his release from custody.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The financial fraud committed by this defendant is disturbing. The abuse of his position of trust and authority as a bank loan officer for his own personal gain had a significant negative impact on the shareholders, employees and customers of Trustmark Bank. The U.S. Attorney’s Office places a high priority on protecting the security and integrity of transactions, deposits and assets of financial institutions, and this case demonstrates that commitment."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll L. André III prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Jackson, TN – John Adam Hoskins, 35, of Paris was sentenced to 188 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute and attempt to possess with intent to distribute actual methamphetamine. Hoskins was also sentenced as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, Hoskins and a passenger were stopped for a traffic violation. Hoskins immediately told the officer that there was a firearm in the vehicle. Officers recovered a Smith and Wesson, .38 caliber revolver loaded with 5 rounds. A K-9 drug dog was utilized and alerted to the presence of narcotics in a backpack behind the driver’s seat. The backpack contained several glass pipes, a set of digital scales, $30,520 in cash, 44 Xanax pills, and 29 alprazolam pills. During the search of the vehicle, officers also found 4.55 grams of methamphetamine at 98% purity.

On December 18, 2019, Senior U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Hoskins to 188 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Recidivist armed drug dealers pose a significant public safety risk to our communities, and must be punished and incapacitated in a meaningful way. Individuals who distribute harmful drugs into our rural communities can no longer hide. We are proud to work with our local law enforcement partners in Paris to use significant federal laws and sentencing to remove this dangerous offender from the streets, and we will continue to do so to reduce the threat of addiction, injury, violence, and death across West Tennessee."

This case was investigated by the Paris Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Operation Relentless Pursuit, an initiative aimed at combating violent crime in seven of America’s most violent cities - including Memphis, through a surge in federal resources.

Joined at a press conference in Detroit, Michigan by ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo, DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and United States Marshals Service Director Donald W. Washington, Attorney General Barr pledged to intensify federal law enforcement resources into Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis and Milwaukee – seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average.

"Americans deserve to live in safety," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "And while nationwide violent crime rates are down, many cities continue to see levels of extraordinary violence. Operation Relentless Pursuit seeks to ensure that no American city is excluded from the peace and security felt by the majority of Americans, while also supporting those who serve and protect in these communities with the resources, training, and equipment they need to stay safe."

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, along with federal law enforcement heads from the Western District of Tennessee as well as the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced participation in the initiative in a press conference in Memphis immediately following the Attorney General’s national press conference.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Reducing violent crime requires all four of DOJ’s federal law enforcement agencies to work together with our individual tools and collective determination, as well as with our state and local law enforcement partners. Operation Relentless Pursuit reflects that coordinated team approach, and this surge of law enforcement resources will have an immediate impact to reduce violent crime, gang activity, and drug trafficking in Memphis."

"The U.S. Marshals Service is proud of our long and continuing practice of being an effective partner with federal, state and local law enforcement. We look forward to continuing the tradition with Operation Relentless Pursuit," said U.S. Marshal Jeffrey Holt.

"The FBI is prepared to expand our efforts under this initiative and work with all of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies collaboratively to address the violent crime plaguing our communities," said Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "We will combat violent crime through sustained, proactive, coordinated investigations, and combine short term, street level enforcement activity with sophisticated techniques aimed to help build successful prosecutions."

"The dedicated men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration stand ready to work closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to help rid the Memphis area of the drugs and violence plaguing our comment," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Pritts, of DEA’s Louisville Field Division. "The people of Memphis deserve to live in a safe community and DEA is committed to providing it to them."

ATF Special Agent in Charge, Marcus Watson remarked "ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence partnerships as part of ‘Operation Relentless Pursuit’ focuses on the devastating impact of firearms violence and works with the entire community to deter poor choices and provide alternatives to resolve disputes."

The Operation will involve increasing the number of federal law enforcement officers to the selected cities, as well as bulking up federal task forces through collaborative efforts with state and local law enforcement partners. The surge in federal agents will be complemented by a financial commitment of up to $71 million in general funding that can be used to hire new officers, pay overtime and benefits, finance federally deputized task force officers and provide mission-critical equipment and technology.

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Memphis, TN – Demario Demont Sprouse, 39, a/k/a/ "Taco," has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to the superseding indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a highly-organized criminal street gang with nationwide reach. In addition to Tennessee, the gang reportedly operates in more than 35 states. The Gangster Disciples were organized into different positions, including board members, and governor-of-governors who each controlled geographic regions; governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers and chief of security for each state or regions within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active; and coordinators and leaders within each local group.

During the change of plea hearing on June 19, 2019, Sprouse admitted that he was the Chief of Security for a region within the Western District of Tennessee. The superseding indictment to which Sprouse pleaded guilty indicates that, as Chief of Security he was responsible for the security of fellow gang members, providing protection to senior Gangster Disciple members, and providing security and protection during times when law enforcement or rival gangs were exerting pressure on the gang.

Sprouse was among a total of 16 leaders and members of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang originally indicted in 2016 in "Operation .38 Special" for federal racketeering offenses, including conspiracy to commit attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of heroin; cocaine and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidation of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples enterprise and to raise funds for the gang.

On December 16, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Sprouse to 120 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "We are fighting to reclaim our cities, towns, and neighborhoods from the gangs, and are effectively dismantling their leadership and influence. "Taco" has terrorized the Memphis area with his violence and racketeering, and he will now only have prison food for the next 10 years."

This prosecution was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent organizations.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team, Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force, 26th, 25th, and 30th Judicial District Attorney’s General Offices, Sheriff’s Offices for Tipton, DeSoto, Madison and Fayette Counties, Police Departments of Bartlett, Germantown and Columbia, TN.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth C. Boswell and Annie T. Christoff of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Shauna Hale of the Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Michael Love, 46, a Horn Lake, MS resident, has been sentenced to life in federal prison after having been found guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting six women in Memphis and attempting to kidnap and rape a seventh between 2008 and 2015.

According to evidence presented at a jury trial in May 2019, during a seven-year period, Love traveled from Mississippi to Tennessee to find or meet a woman, hold her against her will, engage in forced sexual intercourse, and abandon her in a deserted part of Memphis. Some of Love's victims were chosen at random and abducted. Other victims met Love, who used a false identity, through social media and chat lines. In each case, Love took his victims to unlit dead-end coves or uninhabited industrial areas. Each victim testified that she was raped before or after being forced out of Love's car, and that as soon as he was finished, Love got in his car and sped off, leaving the victim without her purse, wallet, cell phone, or other personal items. One of the victims was a minor. Love also brandished a firearm during one of the sexual assaults. All victims reported the crimes to the police, and went to the Rape Crisis Center for treatment and the collection of DNA evidence.

Love's cases were not linked until he was arrested in 2015 and a sample of his DNA was taken as part of the arrest. A profile developed from that sample was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national database designed to help identify suspects in unsolved cases. The cases involving Love dated back to at least 2008.

Biological evidence collected during examination of a sexual assault victim is preserved in a sexual assault kit, and ultimately, sent to a laboratory for analysis. Once a DNA profile is developed, it is placed into CODIS and regularly compared to other submissions and profiles already on file. The Memphis Police Department's Sex Crimes Bureau, DNA Cold Case Unit, developed Love as a suspect in these seven cases, in part, through use of DNA and CODIS technology.

Love also has unresolved cases pending in Shelby County Criminal Court, where he has been charged with rape, aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, criminal attempt - kidnapping, and robbery.

On December 13, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Love to six life sentences and one twenty-year term in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The horrific physical violence, sexual abuse, and emotional torment suffered by the victims in this case cannot be undone, but these life sentences ensure that this violent and evil sexual predator will pay for his depraved actions and will never be free again to victimize others. As a result of the outstanding investigative work of the MPD and the FBI, as well as the excellent trial presentation by our federal and state prosecutors, these victims have seen their cases solved, and justice has been achieved. "

The Memphis Police Department (Sex Crimes, DNA Cold Case Unit), with assistance from FBI and Shelby County District Attorney's Office, investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Ireland and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Phillips prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – A total of eleven individuals have been indicted for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Western District of Tennessee. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the indictments today.

On November 18, 2019, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging eleven defendants with federal crimes including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of actual methamphetamine over five grams, and distribution of actual methamphetamine over 50 grams.

These indictments follow a year-long investigative operation known as "Operation Clear-Cut." These defendants are alleged to have participated in a conspiracy to distribute in excess of 20 kilograms of actual methamphetamine throughout West Tennessee in a twelve month period. Purity levels of methamphetamine seized during the investigation tested as high as 99%.

The defendants include:

• Travis Bradshaw, 39, Dyersburg, TN
• Casey Bailey, 32, Dyersburg, TN
• Anne Taylor Davis, 27, Dyersburg, TN
• Terry Hill, 34, Union City, TN
• Alizdez Lockett, 39, Blytheville, AR
• James Matthews, Jr., 30, Rutherford, TN
• Kimberly Parson, 26, Dyersburg, TN
• William Kreg Pierce, 32, Dyersburg, TN
• Erica Pugh, 27, Dyersburg, TN
• Carale Shields, 40, Jackson, TN
• Ashley Vazquez, 28, Union City, TN

Count 1 charges all defendants with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 2 charges all defendants with aiding and abetting one another to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 3 charges Casey Bailey with the distribution of more than five grams of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 4 through Count 8 charges Travis Bradshaw with the distribution of more than five grams of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 9 charges Anne Davis with the distribution of more than five grams of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 10 charges Travis Bradshaw with the possession of more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, with the intent to distribute.

If convicted, the defendants each face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years and up to life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities. These indictments demonstrate our focus on the priority area of narcotics cases that impact public safety in our rural communities, and we appreciate the partnerships with our local law enforcement agencies in this case."

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, the Dyersburg Police Department, the 27th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. This investigation was conducted in conjunction with prosecutors in Jackson as part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which seeks to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Wilson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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

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Memphis, TN – Alford Robinson, 33, has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm after he committed an armed robbery. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 22, 2016, Robinson robbed a victim at gunpoint and escaped in a blue Dodge Charger. The victim reported the robbery to police, who then put out a broadcast for the vehicle. Two MPD officers who heard the broadcast saw and stopped the car. The defendant immediately jumped out of the vehicle, climbed over a 6-foot privacy fence, and escaped from law enforcement. While searching the vehicle, law enforcement located two loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistols on the floorboards.

On February 23, 2017, Robinson was indicted in federal court for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and was detained by a magistrate judge pending trial. He attempted to escape from federal prison 25 days prior to his original trial date. On March 13, 2018, Robinson was indicted in federal court and charged with attempted escape.

On June 26, 2018, Robinson pleaded guilty to the attempted escape and demanded a trial on the firearm charges. On February 21, 2019, after approximately 30 minutes of deliberation, a federal jury found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On December 12, 2019, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced Robinson to 240 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. Due to his five previous convictions for violent felonies, Robinson was classified as an armed career criminal and faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Under our PSN initiative, we focus on removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons, and removing dangerous felons from our streets. Clearly, this armed career criminal had no hesitation in committing a violent crime with a firearm, and he will now be removed from our community for at least 20 years. We are FED UP. Gun Crime is Max Time."

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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.

This case was investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Memphis Police Department Felony Response Unit, and the PSN Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. William Crow and Stephen Hall prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Robert Elliott Jones, 39, a/k/a/ "Lil Rob," a/k/a/ "Mac Rob" has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.

According to the superseding indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a highly-organized criminal street gang with nationwide reach. In addition to Tennessee, the gang reportedly operates in more than 35 states. The Gangster Disciples were organized into different positions, including board members, and governor-of-governors who each controlled geographic regions; governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers and chief of security for each state or regions within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active; and coordinators and leaders within each local group.

During the change of plea hearing on July 25, 2019, Jones admitted that he was the Governor of Section 4, which covers Tipton County, TN, including Covington. The superseding indictment that Jones entered a guilty plea to indicates that as Governor over a region he was responsible for supervising the criminal activities of the members and associates of the Gangster Disciples enterprise; issuing orders to kill rival gang members and subordinate gang members who he believed had violated Gangster Disciple rules of conduct; and presiding over Gangster Disciple meetings where criminal activity was discussed, proceeds were collected and beatings of fellow gang members were administered.

Jones was among a total of 16 leaders and members of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang originally indicted in 2016 in "Operation .38 Special" for federal racketeering offenses, including conspiracy to commit attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of heroin; cocaine and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidation of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples enterprise and to raise funds for the gang.

The superseding indictment further alleged that Jones declared Covington, TN as "GD Land" and issued a green light to a subordinate gang member to kill rival gang members in Covington, TN.; he issued an order to kill a subordinate gang member whom the Gangster Disciples believed had cooperated with law enforcement; and sent a photograph of the Treasurer of Section Four who stole $2300 from the Regional Enforcer for the State of Tennessee who was "looking for all money stealers".

On December 11, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Jones to 120 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Despite Lil Rob’s declaration, Covington is not and will not be ‘GD Land.’ We are fighting to reclaim our cities, towns, and neighborhoods from the gangs, and are effectively dismantling their leadership and influence. Lil Rob will now serve big time for his violence and racketeering that has terrorized Tipton County, and the citizens are safer for it."

This prosecution was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent organizations.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team, Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force, 26th, 25th, and 30th Judicial District Attorney’s General Offices, Sheriff’s Offices for Tipton, DeSoto, Madison and Fayette Counties, Police Departments of Bartlett, Germantown and Columbia, TN.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth C. Boswell and Annie Christoff of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Shauna Hale of the Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – A man charged in state court with fatally shooting his minor son was indicted on federal charges of illegally re-entering the United States after removal and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the indictment today.

According to the two-count federal indictment, on September 30, 2018, Argel Hernandez-Escobar, 32, was found to be unlawfully in the United States after deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. 1326(a), and unlawfully possessed a Romarm-Cugir, Model Mini Draco, 7.62X39mm caliber pistol as a prohibited person, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5). Hernandez-Escobar also has pending state charges in Shelby County Criminal Court for reckless homicide and aggravated child abuse.

If convicted, Hernandez-Escobar faces up to ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Border Enforcement Security Task Force, in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hall is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Memphis, TN – A Nigerian citizen residing in Accra, Ghana, has been extradited to Memphis to stand trial for an indictment charging him with wire fraud, money laundering, computer fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office made the announcement.

On Aug. 23, 2017, a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee indicted Babatunde Martins, 64, and others with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and aggravated identity theft. Following his extradition, Martins’ initial appearance was made today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charmiane G. Claxton for the Western District of Tennessee.

The indictment alleges that various Africa-based co-conspirators committed, or caused to be committed, a series of intrusions into the servers and email systems of a Memphis-based real estate company in June and July 2016. Using sophisticated anonymization techniques, including the use of spoofed email addresses and Virtual Private Networks, the co-conspirators identified large financial transactions, initiated fraudulent email correspondence with relevant business parties and then redirected closing funds through a network of U.S.-based money mules to final destinations in Africa. Commonly referred to as business-email compromise, or BEC, this aspect of the scheme caused hundreds of thousands in loss to companies and individuals in Memphis.

In addition to BEC, the defendant is also charged with perpetrating romance scams, fraudulent-check scams, gold-buying scams, advance-fee scams and credit card scams. The indictment alleges that the proceeds of these criminal activities, both money and goods, were shipped and/or transferred from the United States to locations in Africa through a complex network of both complicit and unwitting individuals that had been recruited through the various Internet scams. The defendant is specifically alleged to have owned and operated a company called Afriocean LTD that he used in furtherance of these crimes. The defendant, along with his co-conspirators, is believed to have caused millions in loss to victims across the globe.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Five other individuals have pleaded guilty to being involved in the scheme. Two others, Olufalojimi Abegunde, 33, and Javier Luis Ramos-Alonso, 30, were convicted in March after a seven-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Abegunde received a 78-month sentence and Ramos-Alonso received a 31-month sentence for their roles in the scheme. Several individuals remain at large.

The FBI led the investigation. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, as well as the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Accra, the FBI Transnational Organized Crime of the Eastern Hemisphere Section of the Criminal Investigative Division, the FBI’s Major Cyber Crimes Unit of the Cyber Division, and FBI’s International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center all provided significant support in this case, as did the U.S. Marshals Service, INTERPOL Washington, the INTERPOL Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Republic of Ghana’s Office of Attorney General, and Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office.

Senior Trial Attorney Timothy C. Flowers of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra L. Ireland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.

For more information or to view a list of aliases used by members of the conspiracy on dating websites and social media, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/victim-witness-program.

# # #

A Nigerian citizen residing in Accra, Ghana, has been extradited to stand trial for an indictment charging him with wire fraud, money laundering, computer fraud and aggravated identity theft. 

Assistant Attorney General Brian A Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office made the announcement.

On Aug. 23, 2017, a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee indicted Babatunde Martins, 64, and others with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and aggravated identity theft. Following his extradition, Martins’ initial appearance was made today before U.S. Magistrate Judge U.S. Magistrate Judge Charmiane G. Claxton for the Western District of Tennessee.   

The indictment alleges that various Africa-based coconspirators committed, or caused to be committed, a series of intrusions into the servers and email systems of a Memphis-based real estate company in June and July 2016.  Using sophisticated anonymization techniques, including the use of spoofed email addresses and Virtual Private Networks, the co-conspirators identified large financial transactions, initiated fraudulent email correspondence with relevant business parties and then redirected closing funds through a network of U.S.-based money mules to final destinations in Africa.  Commonly referred to as business-email compromise, or BEC, this aspect of the scheme caused hundreds of thousands in loss to companies and individuals in Memphis.

In addition to BEC, the defendant is also charged with perpetrating romance scams, fraudulent-check scams, gold-buying scams, advance-fee scams and credit card scams.  The indictment alleges that the proceeds of these criminal activities, both money and goods, were shipped and/or transferred from the United States to locations in Africa through a complex network of both complicit and unwitting individuals that had been recruited through the various Internet scams.  The defendant is specifically alleged to have owned and operated a company called Afriocean LTD that he used in furtherance of these crimes.  The defendant, along with his coconspirators, is believed to have caused millions in loss to victims across the globe.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Five other individuals have pleaded guilty to being involved in the scheme.  Two others, Olufalojimi Abegunde, 33, and Javier Luis Ramos-Alonso, 30, were convicted in March after a seven-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.  Abegunde received a 78-month sentence and Ramos-Alonso received a 31-month sentence for their roles in the scheme.  Several individuals remain at large.

The FBI led the investigation.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, as well as the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Accra, the FBI Transnational Organized Crime of the Eastern Hemisphere Section of the Criminal Investigative Division, the FBI’s Major Cyber Crimes Unit of the Cyber Division, and FBI’s International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center all provided significant support in this case, as did the U.S. Marshals Service, INTERPOL Washington, the INTERPOL Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Republic of Ghana’s Office of Attorney General, and Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office.

Senior Trial Attorney Timothy C. Flowers of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra L. Ireland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.

For more information or to view a list of aliases used by members of the conspiracy on dating websites and social media, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/victim-witness-program.  

Memphis, TN – Stephen Douglas Fry, 72, a Memphis-area financial advisor, pled guilty to a three-count information charging him with mail and wire fraud and interstate transportation of monies taken by fraud, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced today.

According to the information, Fry was an accountant and financial advisor doing business in Germantown, TN as Fry Financial Services. Count one of the information alleged that between 2009 and 2019, Fry stole and embezzled funds from a client who had given him power of attorney to prepare tax returns and manage and invest monies following the death of her husband. The information alleged that Fry obtained in excess of $1.3 million from the client as a result of the scheme.

Count two of the information alleged that after Fry was served with a civil suit and notice of lien filed in Shelby County Chancery Court on behalf of the client, he defrauded a mortgage lender, title company and closing agent in connection with the sale of his personal residence. The information alleged that Fry falsely represented on an Owner’s Affidavit that there was no pending litigation or liens affecting the property being sold. As a result of the misrepresentation Fry caused the disbursement of $325,827.84 in loan proceeds.

Count three of the information alleged Fry defrauded another client located in Mississippi of $410,000 by requesting a loan and falsely representing that the funds were going to be used to purchase and resell an accounting firm. In fact, Fry used the funds to replace funds he embezzled from an estate of which he was the named executor.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Financial fraud can happen anywhere, and can be devastating to lending institutions and individual investors. The defendant used his position of trust and authority to steal proceeds for his personal benefit, and his dishonesty has been exposed. We are pleased that justice has been achieved on behalf of the victims, and we commend the FBI for their outstanding investigation in this disturbing case. Wherever fraud occurs in the Western District of Tennessee, this office will be prepared to hold offenders accountable."

The sentencing hearing is set for Thursday, March 5, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.

Fry faces up to 60 years imprisonment, fines of up to $1,500,000 and five years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll L. André III is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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MEMPHIS – The Department of Justice today announced that it has awarded more than $376 million in grant funding to enhance state, local and tribal law enforcement operations and reinforce public safety efforts in jurisdictions across the United States. $5,528,132 will support public safety activities in the Western District of Tennessee. The awards were made by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.

"Crime and violence hold families, friends and neighborhoods hostage, and they rip communities apart," said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. "These programs help restore the health and safety of crime-ravaged communities by supporting prevention activities, aiding in the apprehension and prosecution of perpetrators, facilitating appropriate sentencing and adjudication, and providing communities and their residents the means for recovery and healing."

The awards announced today support an array of crime-fighting initiatives, including the quarter-billion dollar Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants Program, which funds public safety efforts in 929 state, local and tribal jurisdictions. Funding also supports sex offender registration and notification, law enforcement-based victim services, the testing of sexual assault kits, and programs designed to address youth with sexual behavioral problems. Other awards will focus on wrongful convictions, intellectual property enforcement, innovative prosecution strategies and the safety and effectiveness of corrections systems.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "The Department of Justice is committed to providing meaningful resources to our state and local law enforcement agencies, and this announcement of crucial public safety grant funding will fulfill the President’s Executive Orders to reduce crime in America and Back the Blue. These grant resources from the

Office of Justice Programs will allow our state and local partners to focus on the priority areas of violent crime and drug trafficking, as well as untested sexual assault kits, sex offender registry and monitoring, and victim services."

The following awards were made to organizations in the Western District of Tennessee:

BJA Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
Tipton County FY 19 Local JAG - $10,217
City of Jackson FY 19 JAG Project - $43,095
City of Dyersburg 2019 JAG - $14,308
City of Memphis / Shelby County FY19 JAG Grant - $818,935

BJA National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative - Comprehensive Approach to Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kits
>City of Memphis, Tennessee - $1,899,781

OVC Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program
City of Memphis FY19 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program (LE VSP) - $770,861

SMART Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program: Support for SORNA Implementation in Counties
Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee - $18,453

On November 7, 2019, the Department of Justice announced awards of approximately $95 million to support public safety efforts in the State of Tennessee. Funding was provided to various law enforcement agencies from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) target violent crime, support law enforcement efforts to combat the manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs, improve officer mental health and wellness, and enhance school safety. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/justice-department-awards-95-million-improve-public-safety-state-tennessee

City of Memphis BJA FY 19 Strategies for Policing Innovation - $700,000

City Of Millington BJA FY 19 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program - $50,000

Shelby County Government BJA FY 19 Innovative Reentry Initiatives: Building System

Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism - $602,482

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis: OJJDP FY 19 Youth Gang Desistance/Diversion Grant Program - $500,000

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis: NIJ Strengthening the Medical Examiner – Coroner System Program - $100,000

Information about the programs and awards announced today is available here. For more information about OJP awards, visit the OJP Awards Data webpage

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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Memphis, TN – Lorenzo Davis, 29, has been sentenced to 376 months in federal prison for armed bank robbery and carjacking. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court, on July 26, 2018, defendant Lorenzo Davis, 29, and two other males robbed a Memphis man at gunpoint. Davis then walked the victim two miles to an ATM machine and forced him to withdraw his last $40 at gunpoint. The next day, Lorenzo Davis committed a carjacking by shooting a Memphis man in the neck and taking his Toyota Solara.

On June 20, 2019, after a four-day trial, a federal jury convicted Davis of bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a bank robbery, carjacking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm during both incidents.

On December 2, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Norris sentenced Davis to 376 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "This is precisely the type of violent gun offender that threatens lives and public safety in Memphis. These federal bank robbery, carjacking, and firearms charges are evidence of the aggressive approach taken by this office to remove the worst of the worst offenders from our streets. This sentence confirms that there is a significant consequence for sowing lawlessness and violence in our communities, and Davis will now reap a long prison sentence for his brazen and recidivist behavior."

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Rogers and Neal Oldham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Memphis, TN – Gerald Eugene Hampton, 34, a/k/a "G-30" has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, the Gangster Disciples is a highly-organized criminal street gang with nationwide reach. In addition to Tennessee, the gang reportedly operates in more than 35 states. The Gangster Disciples were organized into different positions, including board members and governor-of-governors who each controlled geographic regions; governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers and chief of security for each state or regions within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active; and coordinators and leaders within each local group.

Hampton admitted he was a member of the black-out squad/security team. The superseding indictment set out that the black-out squad/security team members were responsible for carrying out acts involving attempted murder, assault, intimidation of witnesses and victims, and physical "disciplines" at the direction of senior Gangster Disciple members.

According to the superseding indictment, the defendants named in the RICO conspiracy committed attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of cocaine, crack and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidation of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise and to promote and enhance the members’ position within the gang.

On June 13, 2019, Hampton pled guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. On November 21, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. sentenced Hampton to 240 months in federal prison, consecutive to state convictions for which he received a 10-year sentence for aggravated robbery and a 3-year sentence for felony evading arrest and possession of marijuana-3rd offense, both out of Madison County, as well as 3 years of federal supervised release, for an overall effective sentence of 33 years in state and federal custody.

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Dismantlement of criminal gangs is a top priority of the Department of Justice, and this case represents the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to target and remove a significant violent participant in the Gangster Disciples organization. ‘G-30’ will now serve more than 3o years in prison for his violent crimes. The message from this case is clear: No matter what your role is in the conspiracy, or what your position, title, or gang nickname is - if you are a member of a criminal gang, your days are numbered and there will be a reckoning."

This prosecution was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent organizations.

This case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team, Memphis Police Department, 28th Judicial District West Tennessee Drug Task force, 26th, 25th, and 30th Judicial District Attorney General Offices, Sheriff's Offices for Shelby, Tipton, DeSoto, Madison, and Fayette Counties, and the Police Departments of Bartlett, Germantown and Columbia, TN.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell and Annie Christoff of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Shauna Hale of the DOJ Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN – Lamar Clancy, 26, has been sentenced to 243 months in federal prison for the attempted armed robbery of the Boost Mobile Store at 4684 Millbranch in Memphis. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented at trial, Clancy and another man entered the store wearing masks and pointing handguns at store employees. Two of the store employees drew their firearms to defend against the shots fired by Clancy and his accomplice. After one of the unarmed employees was shot, Clancy, who himself was also shot, retreated from the store with the other robber. Clancy was dropped off at the Methodist South Hospital emergency room minutes after the attempted robbery, and was apprehended by the Memphis Police.

On May 9, 2019, after a four-day federal jury trial, Clancy was found guilty on a two-count indictment for attempted business robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Today, U. S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Clancy to 243 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Violent crimes must be met with significant consequences in order to incapacitate dangerous offenders, deter future violence, achieve justice for victims and the community, and uphold the rule of law. This sentence demonstrates our commitment and resolve to protect the public by making violent trigger-pullers pay for their crimes."

This case was investigated by FBI Safe Streets Task Force Agents.

The United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Tennessee prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Memphis, TN - Sequna Copeland a/k/a "Cutthroat", 30, of Ripley, Tennessee has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on June 18, 2018 in Lauderdale County, Tennessee a white minivan crashed on Highway 19. Two men emerged from the vehicle and ran in the direction of Maple Hill Circle. Multiple people identified these men as Sequna Copeland and Bryson Bonds. The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the wreck and found a Canik 9mm pistol and a Harrington & Richardson .22 revolver in the minivan. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation lab tests, codefendant statements, and circumstantial evidence revealed that these two handguns were used to kill Jessica Hunt and her unborn child on Berry Morrow Road earlier that same morning.

In 2016, Copeland, along with three other members of the Gangster Disciples, robbed the Ripley Express convenience store. He along with another defendant evaded law enforcement for eight months and was subsequently placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s "Top 10 Most Wanted" list.

On July 30, 2015, Copeland, while under oath and testifying as a witness in a proceeding before a Federal Grand Jury, made a false statement to prevent the punishment of two co-defendants. In July 2016, Copeland pleaded guilty to one count of perjury, and was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release. In 2009, Copeland was convicted in Lauderdale County of Facilitation of the Second Degree Murder of Brian Bond, son of then Haywood County Sheriff Melvin Bond.

On October 1, 2018, the Lauderdale County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Copeland with two counts of Premeditated First Degree Murder, two counts of Felony First Degree Murder, one count of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, one count of Tampering with Evidence, one count of Felony Possession of a Firearm, one count of Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, one count of Abuse of a Corpse, one count of Theft of Property, and one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

On October 9, 2019, after a three-day federal jury trial, Copeland was found guilty on two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Today, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Copeland to 120 months in federal prison, which is the statutory maximum sentence for these federal firearm offenses, followed by 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "As his nickname indicates, ‘Cutthroat’ has a long criminal history of felony convictions involving violence, and possessed firearms that were used in the murder of Jessica Hunt and her unborn child, and while he was still on a period of supervised release from a prior felony conviction. Copeland has devoted his entire adult life to a career of criminal conduct in Lauderdale County, and that prior history has finally caught up with him. This maximum federal sentence will remove this violent recidivist from the community for 10 years, will hopefully help to deliver justice for his victims in the pending state prosecution for first degree murder."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Tennessee Highway Patrol, The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ripley Police Department investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Neal Oldham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jonathan York and Tommy Morris, two former correctional officers at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, with federal civil rights, conspiracy, and obstruction offenses, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee D. Michael Dunavant, and FBI-Memphis Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers.

The indictment alleges that, on Feb. 1, 2019, Correctional Officer Jonathan York and other officers entered the cell of an inmate identified by the initials R.T. York allegedly directed a fellow correctional officer to cover the surveillance camera in the cell and then he repeatedly punched R.T. York allegedly directed another officer to hit R.T. A third officer also punched R.T. As a result of the unjustified use of force by the officers, R.T. suffered bodily injury.

The indictment alleges that Corporal Tommy Morris violated R.T.’s civil rights when Morris knew of the unjustified staff assault on R.T., but failed to intervene to stop the officers. The indictment charges Morris and York with conspiring to cover up the use of unlawful force on R.T. Finally, the indictment charges Morris with obstructing justice by encouraging correctional officers to provide false and misleading information about the circumstances surrounding the injuries R.T suffered.

The defendants face statutory maximum sentences of 10 years for the civil rights count; five years for the conspiracy charge; and 20 years for each obstruction count.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Previously, former correctional officers Cadie McAlister, Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, and Carl Spurlin, Jr. entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Division of the FBI with the support of the Tennessee Department of Corrections, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant United States Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

# # #

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jonathan York and Tommy Morris, two former correctional officers at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, with federal civil rights, conspiracy, and obstruction offenses, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee D. Michael Dunavant, and FBI-Memphis Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers. 

The indictment alleges that, on Feb. 1, 2019, Correctional Officer Jonathan York and other officers entered the cell of an inmate identified by the initials R.T. York allegedly directed a fellow correctional officer to cover the surveillance camera in the cell and then he repeatedly punched R.T. York allegedly directed another officer to hit R.T. A third officer also punched R.T. As a result of the unjustified use of force by the officers, R.T. suffered bodily injury.

The indictment alleges that Corporal Tommy Morris violated R.T.’s civil rights when Morris knew of the unjustified staff assault on R.T., but failed to intervene to stop the officers.  The indictment charges Morris and York with conspiring to cover up the use of unlawful force on R.T. Finally, the indictment charges Morris with obstructing justice by encouraging correctional officers to provide false and misleading information about the circumstances surrounding the injuries R.T suffered.

The defendants face statutory maximum sentences of 10 years for the civil rights count; five years for the conspiracy charge; and 20 years for each obstruction count. 

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Former correctional officers Cadie McAlister, Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, and Carl Spurlin Jr. entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T.  

This case was investigated by the Memphis Division of the FBI with the support of the Tennessee Department of Corrections, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant United States Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

Memphis, TN – Cadie McAlister, 21, pleaded guilty to a federal offense and admitted concealing other correctional officers’ assault of an inmate while McAlister was serving as an officer with the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

"Correctional officers who conceal unlawful actions of other officers erode public trust and will not be tolerated by the Department of Justice," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. "The Department of Justice will continue to hold correctional officers accountable for their actions."

"Correctional officers must abide by and adhere to the same laws they take an oath to uphold and enforce. Instead of serving and protecting the public, this officer actively participated to conceal the use of physical force by other officers to violate the civil rights of an individual. As a result, she will now be held accountable, vividly illustrating that no one is above the law," said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee.

"When a law enforcement officer violates the civil rights of another, she brings shame on the badge and all law enforcement officers," said Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the FBI Memphis Field Office. "This plea should send a clear message that the FBI makes it a priority to bring any law enforcement officer who violates the constitution and the trust of the people to justice."

With her guilty plea, McAlister admitted that, on Feb. 1, 2019, she and other correctional officers at the Northwest County Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee went to the cell of R.T., an inmate in the mental health unit. Other officers entered the cell while McAlister stood in the doorway. McAlister heard someone ask for the surveillance camera to be covered and saw a correctional officer cover the camera with his hand.

After the camera was covered, McAlister saw an officer repeatedly hit R.T. without any lawful justification. While the officer was hitting R.T., another officer asked McAlister to get paper towels. She brought paper towels back to the cell and provided them to an officer who wet them. She then saw the officer covering the camera put the wet paper towels over the camera.

McAlister was responsible for regularly updating the logbook in the mental health unit during her shift. However, she failed to document: the arrival of additional officers into the unit; the entry of five officers into R.T.’s cell; that an officer repeatedly hit R.T.; that the camera was covered while the officers were in the cell; that she provided paper towels which were used to cover the camera; or that R.T. remained in his cell bleeding after the correctional officers left.

With today’s guilty plea, McAlister admitted that she violated 18 U.S.C. § 4 by knowing of a federal felony, failing to notify authorities of the felony, and taking an affirmative step to conceal the felony. The maximum penalty for this offense is three years of imprisonment.

Previously, former correctional officers Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, and Carl Spurlin Jr., entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T.

This case is being investigated by the Memphis Division of the FBI, with the support of the Tennessee Department of Corrections, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant United States Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

# # #

Cadie McAlister, 21, pleaded guilty to a federal offense and admitted concealing other correctional officers’ assault of an inmate while McAlister was serving as an officer with the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

“Correctional officers who conceal unlawful actions of other officers erode public trust and will not be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to hold correctional officers accountable for their actions.”

"Correctional officers must abide by and adhere to the same laws they take an oath to uphold and enforce. Instead of serving and protecting the public, this officer actively participated to conceal the use of physical force by other officers to violate the civil rights of an individual. As a result, she will now be held accountable, vividly illustrating that no one is above the law," said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee.

"When a law enforcement officer violates the civil rights of another, she brings shame on the badge and all law enforcement officers," said Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the FBI Memphis Field Office. "This plea should send a clear message that the FBI makes it a priority to bring any law enforcement officer who violates the constitution and the trust of the people to justice."

With her guilty plea, McAlister admitted that, on Feb. 1, 2019, she and other correctional officers at the Northwest County Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee went to the cell of R.T., an inmate in the mental health unit. Other officers entered the cell while McAlister stood in the doorway. McAlister heard someone ask for the surveillance camera to be covered and saw a correctional officer cover the camera with his hand.

After the camera was covered, McAlister saw an officer repeatedly hit R.T. without any lawful justification. While the officer was hitting R.T., another officer asked McAlister to get paper towels. She brought paper towels back to the cell and provided them to an officer who wet them. She then saw the officer covering the camera put the wet paper towels over the camera. 

McAlister was responsible for regularly updating the logbook in the mental health unit during her shift. However, she failed to document: the arrival of additional officers into the unit; the entry of five officers into R.T.’s cell; that an officer repeatedly hit R.T.; that the camera was covered while the officers were in the cell; that she provided paper towels which were used to cover the camera; or that R.T. remained in his cell bleeding after the correctional officers left. 

With today’s guilty plea, McAlister admitted that she violated 18 U.S.C. § 4 by knowing of a federal felony, failing to notify authorities of the felony, and taking an affirmative step to conceal the felony. The maximum penalty for this offense is three years of imprisonment.

Previously, former correctional officers Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, and Carl Spurlin, Jr., entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of inmate R.T. 

This case is being investigated by the Memphis Division of the FBI, with the support of the Tennessee Department of Corrections, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant United States Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

Jackson, TN – Amanda Ivey, 45, of Lexington, TN has been sentenced to 185 months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute actual methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2015 through March 2016, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating multiple individuals transporting actual methamphetamine from Arizona to the Western District of Tennessee for distribution.

Ivey distributed actual methamphetamine on multiple occasions to undercover confidential informants. Ivey and co-defendant Shane Rushing, were traveling on Highway 412 East near Darden Park in Henderson County when they were stopped by law enforcement for a traffic violation. Ivey was the driver and Rushing was the passenger. A loaded Tanfoglio, .40 caliber pistol was located between the seats.

Recovered from the vehicle was $9,086 in United States currency from Rushing and $500 in United States currency from Ivey. Rushing stated to investigators that he was on his way to purchase one ounce (28.35 grams) of methamphetamine/ice and pay for previous amounts of methamphetamine that he had been fronted. Ivey stated she purchased methamphetamine from Rushing for two years. Ivey was held responsible for 6.35 kilograms of actual methamphetamine with purity levels from 99.6% to 98.6%.

On November 14, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Ivey to 185 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities. Drug dealers who profit from the pain, addiction, violence and death caused by these dangerous substances deserve proper punishment, and this sentence does just that."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Residence Agency Safe Streets Task Force, and the ATF.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Jonathan Lynn Luten, 40, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney, D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on January 14, 2015, officers with the Trenton Police Department were advised that Luten had committed an armed robbery and fled in a vehicle. The investigating officers were given a description of the vehicle, which was located a short time later. Luten fled from the vehicle and after a foot pursuit was apprehended. During the chase Luten abandoned a .22 caliber revolver which officers later recovered and Luten admitted to possessing.

Because of his previous violent felony convictions, Luten was determined to be an armed career criminal and subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months. On November 7, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Luten to 180 months in federal prison followed by 2 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and in this case, Luten was an armed career criminal who continued to commit senseless gun violence despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this sentence is just punishment for such violent victimization of an innocent citizen."

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

This case was prosecuted by the Eastern Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Memphis, TN – Jonathan Shelton, 29, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon illegally in possession of firearms and drugs. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on April 23, 2017 at approximately 4:30 PM, Multi-Agency Gang Unit ("MGU") detectives were investigating a theft near the gun show at the Agricenter at 7777 Walnut Grove Road. While there, they were stopped by the security detail at the gun show, who told the officers that an individual was causing a disturbance inside the gun show and smelled very strongly of marijuana. This individual was later identified as Jonathan Shelton. Officers watched Shelton hand a large amount of cash to a female and then be escorted out of the gun show by security. The female was later identified as Tammy Fox, 50,—Shelton’s mother.

Officers followed Shelton outside and saw him get into the rear left passenger seat of a 2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor. A short time later, Fox exited the gun show carrying a Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol--a black semi-automatic AR-15 style pistol. She then got into the rear right passenger seat and handed the pistol to Shelton. Detectives followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop because the windows were tinted below the Tennessee legal limit.

The car had four occupants: Shelton in the left rear passenger seat; Fox in the right rear passenger seat; Mario Silas, 39, in the front passenger seat; and, Sheritha Wells, 39, the registered owner of the vehicle, in the driver’s seat. Officers saw in plain view the Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol on the floorboard of the left rear passenger seat where Shelton was seated and could smell marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A K9 unit on scene provided a positive alert for narcotics.

Officers searched the vehicle based on the marijuana smell and on the K9 positive alert. In a brown purse, they found 0.7 grams of cocaine, 1.2 grams of heroin, 4.8 grams of marijuana and a Ruger .357 caliber revolver. Officers also recovered a stolen Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol in the glove box and the Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol from the left rear floorboard.

All of the occupants of the vehicle waived their rights and gave statements to the police. Wells denied knowledge of any of the firearms or drugs. Silas admitted to possessing the stolen Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol. Shelton admitted to possessing the Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol, the Ruger .357 revolver and all of the drugs. He later admitted on recorded jail calls to putting the gun and drugs in his mother’s purse. Fox admitted to purchasing the Spikes Tactical multi caliber pistol for her son. At the time of these events Silas was a convicted felon; Shelton was a knowingly convicted felon; and Fox had been knowingly convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

On November 13, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Shelton to 100 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. On November 28, 2018, the co-defendant Silas was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release. Tammy Fox has pleaded guilty to being in possession of a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and is set for sentencing on January 9, 2020.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Reducing gun and violent crime is the top priority of this office and the Department of Justice. Prohibited persons in possession of firearms, such as convicted felons, persons with histories of domestic violence, and unlawful users of illegal narcotics present a known and immediate risk of violence to their families and the community at large. Clearly, all three of these defendants possessed firearms despite their prohibited status, and I commend the work of our federal and local law enforcement partners in holding them responsible and removing them from our streets."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Multi-Agency Gang Unit.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

 

Memphis, TN – Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the "Triggerlock" program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

"Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally."

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Under the new Project Guardian initiative, we will intensify our focus on removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons, and removing dangerous offenders from our streets. We have no better partner in this fight against gun crime than the ATF, and we are excited to coordinate the implementation of

this initiative with our state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal firearms laws. Rest assured that, with Project Guardian, we will aggressively prosecute the trigger-pullers, traffickers, straw purchasers, and prohibited persons who illegally possess firearms in West Tennessee."

"ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community," said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. "Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms."

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

1) Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.

2) Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.

Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.

3) Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.

 

4) Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety.

Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.

5) Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.

Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.

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Memphis, TN – The Department of Justice today announced awards of approximately $95 million to support public safety efforts in the state of Tennessee. The funding from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) will target violent crime, support law enforcement efforts to combat the manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs, improve officer mental health and wellness, and enhance school safety.

"Supporting our partners in state, local and tribal law enforcement is at the heart of our mission at the Department of Justice," said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. "These federal investments in the state of Tennessee will help keep kids safe in school, provide peer support services for law enforcement officers and give crime victims critical resources needed to heal in the aftermath of a crime."

"Tennessee’s brave crime-fighters and compassionate service providers deserve to know that the Department of Justice is doing everything in its power to help them safeguard their communities and protect their fellow citizens," said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katherine T. Sullivan. "The Office of Justice Programs is so very pleased to make its resources available to support them in this vital work."

Director Keith made the announcement in Nashville on Thursday morning along with U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Don Cochran; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee J. Douglas Overbey; U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee D. Michael Dunavant; and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Director David Rausch. Also on hand for the announcement were Metropolitan Nashville Police Deputy Chief John Drake; Memphis Police Deputy Chief Michael Hardy; Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Maggi Duncan; Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs Deputy Director Daina Moran; and Director of the Elizabethton, Tennessee City School District Dr. Corey Gardenhour.

TBI was awarded nearly $2 million from the COPS Office for investigating illicit activities related to heroin distribution and methamphetamine trafficking. In addition, the cities of Memphis and Nashville were both awarded funding through the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act program for their respective officer peer support programs. The well-being and safety of the nation’s law enforcement officers is a top priority for the Department of Justice, and these awards are a step in the direction of helping our men and women in blue get the services they need and deserve. Other awards announced today will assist with violent crime reduction, rapid DNA analysis, school safety, and victim services, and will provide much needed equipment for law enforcement agencies.

"These grant awards make possible programs which would otherwise be impossible to implement and provide our local governments with the necessary resources to make our communities safer," said U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee. "I’m grateful to Director Keith and his office for the support they continue to provide to our state and local agencies."

"The Department of Justice is committed to providing meaningful resources to our state and local law enforcement partners, and this announcement of crucial public safety grant funding will fulfill the President’s Executive Orders to reduce crime in America and Back the Blue," said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee. "These grant resources from the COPS Office will allow our state and local partners to focus on the priority areas of violent crime and drug trafficking, as well as the emerging areas of school safety and officer health and wellness."

"I find the Department of Justice’s continued support of its law enforcement allies very heartening," said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey of the Eastern District of Tennessee. "These federal resources will serve to provide better tools to promote safety within our state as well as the well-being of law enforcement officers and victims of crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to support its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in all endeavors that seek to promote justice and safety within our community."

"This grant funding will make the difference for our agency, by providing extra resources to help us better address some of the most pressing issues impacting communities across Tennessee," said TBI Director David Rausch. "We are thankful to our partners at COPS and the Department of Justice for their support and their investment in TBI and agencies across the state to improve public safety and the quality of life for all Tennesseans."

"The Memphis Police Department appreciates the COPS Office support through the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act funding which will expand Memphis’ Peer Support Program," said Memphis Police Department Director Michael Rallings. "These funds will allow us to increase the number of Peer Support Officers, enhance opportunities to utilize peer support, and make resources more accessible to officers."

"Through the support of Justice Department grants, our police department is able to deploy cutting edge technology to better protect our residents, ensure that we are caring for our employees’ mental health and wellness, and ensure that Metro Nashville Police Department personnel receive important specialized training in a number of areas," Chief Steve Anderson said. "I have often noted that the relationship with our Justice Department partners, including Don Cochran and Phil Keith, is outstanding. I’m grateful for their commitment to Nashville and the state of Tennessee."

A full list of COPS awards is available online at https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants. OJP awards, organized under specific grant programs, are available online at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/OJPAwardData.htm. For OVW awards, visit https://www.justice.gov/ovw/awards.

About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

About the Office of Justice Programs:

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

About the Office on Violence Against Women:

The Office on Violence Against Women provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw

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Memphis, TN –Demarius Jones, 39, has been sentenced to 141 months in federal prison for committing robbery affecting interstate commerce and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on May 31, 2018, at 5:00pm, Jones entered O’Reilly Auto Parts on Lamar Ave., pretending to be a customer. Jones asked the store clerk for a brake caliper and rotors for a Dodge Avenger. When the clerk produced the parts, Jones tried to forcibly take the items without paying. He struggled with the employee and ran out of the store empty handed.

On the same day, about two hours later, Jones returned to the same O'Reilly Auto Parts location, this time armed with a firearm. Jones pointed the gun at the store employees and demanded cash from the registers as well as the brake caliper and rotors he attempted to steal earlier. In total, Jones received $569.55 in cash and auto parts. The robbery was captured on video surveillance.

On November 1, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Jones to 141 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. Jones previously pled guilty in federal court to both counts on July 30, 2019. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Business owners have a fundamental right to be safe from armed robbers who terrorize our communities with their lawlessness. The senselessness of gun violence has a long lasting effect on victims of armed robbery, and we will no longer allow gun crime to rule our streets. This 11-year sentence sends a clear message that there will always be a reckoning, a real and significant consequence, for the commission of violent crimes."

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Memphis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Jackson, TN – Brandy Kentia Steed, a/k/a "STEED," 40, has been sentenced to 180 months imprisonment on federal charges of possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. Attorney, D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on August 24, 2017, during an undercover investigation, Jackson Police Department investigators arranged to purchase 1.63 grams of heroin from STEED. Later that same day, investigators executed a search warrant at STEED’s residence, in the Jackson area. During the search, STEED informed the investigators that the narcotics were hidden in a Chevrolet Suburban parked outside his residence. Recovered from the Suburban were multiple bags of suspected heroin and crack cocaine. However, lab analysis later determined that the bags contained 30.42 grams of fentanyl and 5.63 grams of crack cocaine. STEED provided a statement to investigators admitting that all the items in the vehicle belonged to him. STEED also had multiple prior arrests and convictions for evading arrest, resisting arrest and probation violations.

On November 1, 2019, U.S. District Court Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced STEED to 180 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Fentanyl is a deadly drug that destroys lives, and the quantity of fentanyl possessed by this defendant for resale could have caused multiple injuries and deaths. Under the new opioid strategy of this office and the Department of Justice, we will seek maximum sentencing penalties for any person distributing any amount of fentanyl in West Tennessee. If you are a drug dealer causing addiction, pain, and death for selfish personal gain, we will find you and hold you accountable."

This case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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