Kalamazoo Felon On Parole Sentenced To 70 Months In Federal Prison For Possessing A Firearm

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Teiun Tyree Walker, 22, of Kalamazoo, Michigan was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Chief Judge Jarbou also ordered Walker to spend 3 years on supervised release after his confinement.  In imposing the sentence, Chief Judge Jarbou highlighted Walker’s “history of assaultive behavior, firearm possession, and not respecting authority,” along with his extensive criminal history despite his young age.

          “At a moment when violent crime has increased and communities across Michigan feel the fear and anguish that comes with every senseless death and near-death incident, my office is committed to enforcing our nation’s gun laws and holding people accountable who are prohibited from possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Totten.  “No parent, no child, no senior citizen – no one should have to live with the fear of violence.”

          On May 2, 2022, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers were surveilling the area around Daysha’s Liquor Store in Kalamazoo because several individuals were illegally gambling in the parking lot.  Officers seized a stolen, loaded Ruger 9mm pistol from the crossbody bag Walker was wearing.  Walker has prior state court felony convictions, including for assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a concealed weapon, and thus was prohibited from possessing a firearm as a felon under both state and federal law.  In February 2022, Walker was released from the Michigan Department of Corrections and was still on parole at the time of the current illegal firearm possession.  While he was being arrested, Walker resisted and threatened the police, which Chief Judge Jarbou noted was “unacceptable.” 

          “This case is an example of the FBI’s commitment to working cooperatively with our law enforcement partners to stop felons from illegally possessing firearms,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “I would like to thank the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety for their work on this investigation, their continued partnership, and their commitment to helping us keep our communities safe.” 

          “Our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to keep our community safe,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Director David Boysen. “As our federal partner, we thank them in their help in the Walker case and all cases that help keep crime off of our streets.”

          This case was investigated by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, FBI, and ATF, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program.  Holding those who are prohibited from possessing firearms accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of the PSN Program, the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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