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Memphis, TN – United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced today the indictments of ten individuals who were charged with federal gun and violent crime offenses in West Tennessee.  United States Attorney Ritz also reinforced his office’s commitment to federal prosecution of individuals who commit violent crimes, illegally possess machine-gun conversion devices (also known as “switches”), or commit other federal firearm offenses. 

“As alleged, these individuals have committed serious federal crimes involving...

Memphis, TN – A former Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department (MPD) officer facing federal civil rights charges for the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols pleaded guilty in federal court today. Emmitt Martin III pleaded guilty to civil rights and conspiracy charges arising out of the Jan. 7, 2023, incident. Martin is the second MPD officer to plead guilty in this case. On Sept. 12, 2023, a federal jury returned a...

MEMPHIS, TN - United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz today announced that a Memphis-area man has been charged with making threats against President Joseph R. Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Barack Obama.    

On July 27, 2024, Kyl Alton Hall, 37, made numerous posts on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Specifically, in the posts, he threatened to kill, assassinate, shoot, and crash the plane of President Biden; assassinate...

WASHINGTON – A Missouri woman was arrested this morning on federal charges in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Elvis Presley’s family of millions of dollars and steal the family’s ownership interest in Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Lisa Jeanine Findley, also known as Lisa Holden, Lisa Howell, Gregory Naussany, Kurt Naussany, Lisa Jeanine Sullins, and Carolyn Williams, 53, of Kimberling City, Missouri, was charged in a criminal complaint unsealed today after her arrest. Findley will make her initial...

Memphis, TN – Dardanius Coleman, 55, of Memphis, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) designed to provide emergency financial assistance to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. 

United States Attorney Ritz said: “This federal program was designed to lift hardworking citizens and small businesses in a time of need.  Instead, the defendant

Memphis, TN – Kendrick Watson, 44, of Memphis, has been sentenced to 540 months in federal prison after being convicted by a federal jury of multiple drug distribution and firearm offenses. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

According to the information presented in court...

Memphis, TN – Malik Motley, 25, of Memphis, has been sentenced to 303 months in federal prison after being convicted of a Hobbs Act robbery committed in October 2021.  Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. According to the information presented in court...

Jackson, TN – Jason Daniel Smith, 33, of Gibson County, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison after being convicted of possessing and distributing child sex abuse materials on two separate occasions, once in 2019 and again in 2023.  Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today. 

According to information presented in court...

Memphis, TN – United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced today that, on July 25, 2024, nine individuals were charged with federal gun and violent crime offenses in West Tennessee. United States Attorney Ritz also reinforced his office’s commitment to federal prosecution of individuals who commit violent crimes, illegally possess machine gun conversion devices (also known as “switches”), or commit other federal firearm offenses. 

“Violent crime is not just a threat to...

Covington man faces a federal sentence of imprisonment up to 75 years

Memphis, TN - A federal jury recently returned a guilty verdict in the case of a previously-convicted sex offender accused of child pornography offenses. Jarrod Sanford, 43, of Covington, was found guilty of production of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and committing a felony offense against a minor while required to register as a sex offender. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced...

Memphis, TN – The last of fourteen members of the Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs (TVL/JYD) street gang, convicted of crimes under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, has been sentenced in federal court.  Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today. 

According to information presented in court...

Memphis, TN – Three Memphis men have been sentenced to a total of 66 years in federal prison after being convicted of three carjackings and three business robberies that occurred in the spring of 2022.  Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.

According to the information presented in court...