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Press Release

Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 188 Months in Federal Prison

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

Jackson, TN –Marshawn Keith Burrus, 56, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on June 8, 2018, officers with the Jackson Police Department made contact with a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Old Hickory Inn, Jackson, Tennessee. Officers observed in plain view a .40 caliber pistol in the empty back seat. An investigation of the firearm in the vehicle led officers with the Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit to apply for and execute a search warrant of a motel room where they found Burrus along with other individuals, as well as, a 9mm pistol, cocaine, liquid codeine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The defendant provided a statement to law enforcement that he had purchased both pistols from two separate individuals. Burrus had previously been convicted in state court of multiple felony offenses including four counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary, sale of drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, evading arrest by motor vehicle, two counts of carjacking and another possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Burrusmade an appearance bond on the state case. On August 20, 2018, he was arrested again by Jackson Police Department for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and other drug offenses. On August 23, 2018, the District Court issued an arrest warrant on a complaint for the June 8, 2018, incident and the defendant has remained in custody.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and in this case, the defendant was an armed career criminal who continued to possess firearms despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this is one more armed career criminal removed from our streets. Gun Crime is Max Time."

On September 24, 2019, U.S. Chief District Court Judge, S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Burrus to 188 months imprisonment followed by 5 years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jackson Police Department and Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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Updated September 26, 2019