Repeat Felony Offender Sentenced To 7 Years For Gun Possession

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings sentenced Rodney W. Davis, a criminal with nine prior felony convictions, to 84 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman. There is no parole in the federal system.

“This sentence is what results from real collaboration between the feds, state, and local law enforcement; we’re aggressively targeting the most dangerous career offenders and getting them off of the streets of our city,” said United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman.

Davis, 51, from Louisville, Kentucky admitted in plea agreement on June 26, 2018 to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

The prosecution came as part of a traffic violation occurring on November 12, 2016 at approximately 12:55 a.m. when two Louisville Metro Police Department Detectives observed a white 2003 Chrysler minivan make a right turn onto South Preston Street from West Camp Street without using a turn signal. The minivan, driven by Davis, subsequently turned left onto eastbound Camp Street without using a signal (again) and then made an illegal U-turn blocking both lanes of Camp Street. The detectives made a traffic stop and could plainly observe Davis making movements with his hands toward the center console of the car. Davis ignored demands by the officers to “show your hands.” One of the officers opened the driver door and assisted Davis out of the vehicle. While doing so, he noticed a plastic baggie in Davis’ left hand which contained a white powdery substance. The baggie turned out to contain 4.2 grams of crack cocaine.

Based upon the probable cause established by the apparent presence of controlled substances in the car, a search of the van revealed a “handle up” Kel-Tec semi-automatic .32 caliber handgun between the driver’s seat and the center console of the vehicle. When officers ran the serial number of the gun through NCIC, the results confirmed that the gun was stolen.

Davis was previously convicted in state court of complicity to trafficking cocaine in 2013, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) in 2007, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) in 2006, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) 2002, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) in May of 1997 and again in November of 1997, sexual abuse in 1990, and possession of a controlled substance in 1988.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ream and investigated by the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Kentucky.  A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.