Federal Jury Convicts Memphis Man for Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

Memphis, TN – A jury has convicted a Memphis man of illegally possessing ammunition while a convicted felon. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the conviction today.

According to information presented at trial, on the evening of February 5, 2016, the Memphis Police Department responded to an aggravated assault call at Riverside Community Center on 1891 Kansas Street. The community center’s recreation leader informed law enforcement that around 6 p.m., he was overseeing a scrimmage basketball game that was set to begin in the gymnasium between boys ranging in ages 6 to 10. Before the game began, Marcus Dotson, 27, and 14-year old nephew, entered the gym in search of a 16-year old victim.

Dotson, a convicted felon at the time of the incident, became embroiled in an argument with patrons on the bleachers, brandished the firearm at the crowd, and fired one shot into the ceiling. Both Dotson and Freeman fled the scene. An arrest warrant was issued for Dotson. He was apprehended two weeks later.

As a result of the Memphis Police Department’s investigation, one Speer .40 caliber shell casing was recovered from the gymnasium. The investigation also yielded surveillance of Dotson and Freeman running from the gymnasium after the shooting, as well as witness identification of the defendant from a photo line-up.

The guilty verdict followed a jury trial before the Honorable Samuel H. Mays, U.S. Senior District Judge. For the one count, the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for July 14, 2017 at 10 a.m.

The case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Hartridge and Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.