Memphis Man Found Guilty on Five-Count Indictment

Memphis, TN – A federal jury has found a Memphis man guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the verdict today.

According to documents and information presented in court, on June 16, 2015, detectives for the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit (OCU) executed an undercover operation at 5280 Summer Avenue. An undercover officer had been in contact with defendant Nickey Ardd, 41, for over 6 months posing as a drug dealer. One of the undercover officer’s confidential informants explained that Ardd was dissatisfied with his current cocaine supplier and searching for a new one. After several failed attempts to set up buys, on June 12, 2015, Ardd contacted the undercover officer and ordered 9 ounces of powder cocaine at $1,100 an ounce. The buy was set for June 16, 2015.

During the "takedown" operation, Ardd was arrested. A fully loaded Glock 9mm pistol was found on Ardd’s person. A total of $9,811 was recovered, which represented the money brought to the buy by Ardd. The operation was captured on surveillance video.

Later that day, a search warrant was executed at Ardd’s home. OCU detectives recovered additional cocaine packaged for sale and a loaded Luger 9mm caliber pistol. The serial number on the Luger had been obliterated.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 8, 2018, before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays. Ardd faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Memphis Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who all work jointly to address gun-related crimes through aggressive investigation and prosecution.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Hartridge and Mabayonle Osundare prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.