February 28th, 2008
Twenty-Three Arrested on Federal Firearms Charges
Memphis, Tennessee - The indictment of twenty-three individuals charged with violating federal firearms laws was announced today by David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, James Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Nashville Field Division, and Nathaniel W. Jones, Resident Agent in Charge of ATF’s Memphis, Tennessee office. The indictments were the result of a long-term undercover investigation conducted by ATF, with assistance from state and local law enforcement agencies, which focused on individuals selling firearms without a federal firearms license, selling handguns to felons, and selling sawed-off shotguns. As a result of the investigation, ATF agents purchased and seized over 500 handguns, rifles, shotguns and short-barreled shotguns.
The following individuals were indicted as a result of the investigation:
Ronnie Breeden is charged with one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(g)(1). This statute makes it illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm. A violation of the statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Barry Chance is charged with two counts of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
George Conley is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), ten counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1), ten counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(g)(1), six counts of possession a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(d), six counts of transferring a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(e), and three counts of distribution of a Schedule III controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, section 841(a). Federal law requires individuals engaged in the business of selling firearms to be licensed. Title 18 United States Code, section 922(a)(1), makes it a crime for an individual to engage in the business of selling firearms without a license. A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(g)(1), which prohibits a convicted felon from possessing a firearm, is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a three year term of supervised release. Violations of Title 26, United States Code, sections 5861(d) and 5861(e), which prohibit a person from possessing or transferring a shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches long unless that firearm is registered to that person on the National Firearms and Transfer Record, are punishable by a prison sentence of up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. The potential penalty for violating Title 21, United States Code, section 841(a)(1), which prohibits the illegal distribution of Schedule III controlled substances, is no more than five yeas imprisonment, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of no more than three years.
Jerry Copeland is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a), and ten counts of selling firearms to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of section 922(a) is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Each violation of section 922(d)(1) is punishable by a term of imprisonment up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Bill Eifert is charged with one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Wayne Ganus is charged with one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
John Richard Goode, also known as “Rickey,” is charged with one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Larry Goode is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), and twenty-two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in violation title 18, United States Code, section 922(g)(1). A violation of section 922(a)(1) is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A violation of section 922(g)(1) is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Benny Harris is charged with four counts of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Bobby Hedge is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), twenty counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1), seventeen counts of possession a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(d), and seventeen counts of transferring a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(e). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Violations of Title 26, United States Code, sections 5861(d) and 5861(e), which prohibit a person from possessing or transferring a shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches long unless that firearm is registered to that person on the National Firearms and Transfer Record, are punishable by a prison sentence of up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Donald Hooks is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), nine counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1), two counts of possession a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(d), and two counts of transferring a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(e). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Violations of Title 26, United States Code, sections 5861(d) and 5861(e), which prohibit a person from possessing or transferring a shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches long unless that firearm is registered to that person on the National Firearms and Transfer Record, are punishable by a prison sentence of up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Bruce Hutton is charged with two counts of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Casey Jones is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), and twenty counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Oscar Lee Jones is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), and eight counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Paul Middleton is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), and eleven counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Hubert Norfleet is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), two counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1), one count of possession a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(d), and one count of transferring a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(e). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Violations of Title 26, United States Code, sections 5861(d) and 5861(e), which prohibit a person from possessing or transferring a shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches long unless that firearm is registered to that person on the National Firearms and Transfer Record, are punishable by a prison sentence of up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Ovan Owens is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), seventeen counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1), one count of possession a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(d), and one count of transferring a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(e). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Violations of Title 26, United States Code, sections 5861(d) and 5861(e), which prohibit a person from possessing or transferring a shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches long unless that firearm is registered to that person on the National Firearms and Transfer Record, are punishable by a prison sentence of up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Robert Joe Rich is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), and three counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Donald Robison is charged with 2 counts of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Thomas Rorie is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), twelve counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1), two counts of possession a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(d), and two counts of transferring a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(e). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Violations of Title 26, United States Code, sections 5861(d) and 5861(e), which prohibit a person from possessing or transferring a shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches long unless that firearm is registered to that person on the National Firearms and Transfer Record, are punishable by a prison sentence of up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Herman Rye is charged with one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Joseph Dean Smith is charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), twelve counts of selling firearms to a felon in violation of Title 18, United states Code, section 922(d)(1), two counts of possession a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(d), and two counts of transferring a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms and Transfer Record in violation of Title 26, United States Code, section 5861(e). A violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(a)(1), which makes it illegal to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A person convicted of selling a firearm to a felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1) is subject to a potential prison sentence of no more than ten years, a fine of no more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Violations of Title 26, United States Code, sections 5861(d) and 5861(e), which prohibit a person from possessing or transferring a shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches long unless that firearm is registered to that person on the National Firearms and Transfer Record, are punishable by a prison sentence of up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Jackie Weathers is charged with three counts of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 922(d)(1). A violation of this statute is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
The cases were investigated by ATF. ATF was assisted in the investigation by officers, deputies, and agents from the United States Marshals Service, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bomb and Arson Squad, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Alcorn County (Mississippi) Sheriff’s Office, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Carol County Sheriff’s Office, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the McNairy County Sheriff’s Office, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Camden (Tennessee) Police Department, the Corinth (Mississippi) Police Department, the Jackson (Tennessee) Police Department, the Martin (Tennessee) Police Department, and the Savannah (Tennessee) Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Murphy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States Attorney’s Office.
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Note: An indictment is a form of accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.