Clarksville Man Facing Federal Charges For Firing Weapon At Police Officers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 5, 2018 – Levi West, 34, of Palmyra, Tennessee, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Nashville, Tennessee, and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of body armor, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee.

            “This is yet another example of our policy to review every act of violence against our law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Cochran.  “As in this case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will bring federal charges where appropriate, for acts of violence committed against our men and women in blue.”

            According to the indictment, on February 3, 2018, West was attempting to flee from a traffic stop by Clarksville Police officers and fired several shots at pursuing officers.  West then fled into a wooded area and was later apprehended with the help of a police K-9.  The indictment also alleges that officers recovered a .40 caliber Glock near West and recovered a ballistic vest and other military equipment in his vehicle.  West was found to have a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.  He is also prohibited from possessing body armor by virtue of a prior conviction of a crime of violence.

            If convicted, West faces up to 10 years in prison on the firearms charge and up to three years in prison on the body armor charge and a $250,000 fine.

            This case was investigated by the Clarksville, Tennessee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Jaworski.

            An indictment is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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