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Press Release

Nashville Gang Member Sentenced To Life In Prison For Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses Near Elementary School

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee

Four Life Sentences Imposed by the Court

Christopher Ray Moody, 30, of Nashville, Tenn., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court, to life in prison, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.  Moody was convicted by a jury on November 25, 2013, of all eight charges against him involving drug trafficking and firearms offenses.  Moody’s crimes were committed from 2008 – 2011 and many were committed in and near specially protected areas around schools and public housing.

U.S. Attorney David Rivera stated, “This defendant had multiple previous convictions for drug trafficking, firearms, and violent crime.  He continued committing crimes even while on bond or on probation for state offenses.  He had no intention of turning away from a lifestyle of crime, as evidenced by the video recording introduced at trial in which he said he was taking penitentiary chances every day, and was never going to stop.  The four life sentences imposed against him stops him cold, and helps protect this community and the children at the elementary school near his drug house.  This is another example of using federal laws to remove armed recidivist gang members from our streets."

According to the proof at trial, Moody was a 98 Mafia Crip street gang member and repeatedly cooked multiple ounces of crack cocaine for distribution at a residence near Jones Paideia Elementary School, in Nashville.  Moody kept firearms at this location, including a compact semi-automatic style firearm which he had previously obtained in a drug transaction.

Moody was arrested on unrelated state charges in April 2009.  While he was incarcerated on these charges, investigators determined that Moody had instructed his girlfriend to hold his drugs and a gun for him so that he could start drug trafficking again when he completed his state sentence.   Moody was released from custody in May 2010 and the evidence showed he went back to drug trafficking at the same residence.

 A federal search warrant was issued in February 2011 and resulted in the Moody’s arrest, as well as the seizure of evidence showing that he cooked crack cocaine.  Shotgun shells were also found at the home and the trial proof showed that Moody possessed a shotgun at that location during drug deals.  Moody was also a previously convicted felon, and was found to be illegally in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sunny A.M. Koshy and Lynne T. Ingram represented the United States.

Updated March 19, 2015