Felon Indicted for Possessing Firearm, Ammunition at St. Jude

Memphis, TN – An Ohio man has been indicted for possessing a firearm and ammunition at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The indictment was announced today by Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

An affidavit indicates that in March 2015, Memphis police officers responded to an aggravated assault call at St. Jude. The defendant, 29-year-old Aaron Cauley, had allegedly threatened the life of his child’s mother while they were inside of a patient room.

Cauley and his child’s mother were engaged in a heated argument when he pointed a pistol and threatened to kill her, according to the affidavit. Afraid for her life, the victim alerted St. Jude security of the occurrence. Security subsequently notified Memphis police officers, who arrived on the scene and detained Cauley. Officers reportedly located a knife in the defendant’s pants pocket while searching him.

The affidavit also indicates that security discovered a green backpack hidden under some children’s clothing in the patient room where the alleged incident occurred. A

Sig Sauer 9mm pistol and 56 rounds of 9mm ammunition were found in the backpack. Two hunting knives were also found, according to the affidavit.

Cauley is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, he faces up to life in federal prison. He also faces up to $250,000 in fines.

The case is being investigated by the Memphis Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean DeCandia is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.