Tennessee man sentenced for possession of firearms by a convicted felon

      Evansville – Josh J. Minkler, Acting United States Attorney, announced today that Jacob Roy Hammond, 23, Dover, Tennessee, was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in prison by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following his guilty plea to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

      Immediately before sentencing Hammond admitted that on February 22, 2014, he was in possession of two loaded firearms that were later determined to have been stolen. The first, a Springfield Arms, model XD, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, the second, a Walther, model P22, .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Hammond also admitted that he had sustained multiple felony convictions in the state of Tennessee before his possession of these firearms.

     On February 22, 2014, agents working with the Evansville United States Marshal Service conducted a fugitive search for Hammond at the request of Montgomery County, Tennessee, law enforcement officials. The defendant had an outstanding warrant in Tennessee for attempted murder after fleeing from local police officers. As a result of their search, the defendant was located in an Evansville hotel parking lot on North First Avenue with the two loaded firearms.

     “My office has no tolerance for individuals who choose to break the law and illegally carry firearms,” said Minkler. “Those who do, should plan to spend time in federal prison.”

     This case was the result of an investigation by United States Marshal Service, the Evansville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

     According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Young imposed 3 years of supervised release following Hammond’s release from prison. Hammond must submit to drug testing and treatment while on supervision.