Memphis Man Pled Guilty to Calling in Bomb Threat and for Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Sentenced to 7 Years

Memphis,  TN  – Christopher Cobb,  33,  has been sentenced to 84  months in  federal prison for 
being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced 
the guilty plea today.

According  to  information  presented  in   court,  on   the  afternoon   of   April  22,  2021, 
Christopher Cobb called the United States Social Security Administration (“SSA”) office in Memphis, 
Tennessee to inquire about the status of his claim. Cobb became irate when the official  informed 
him that his claim  had been denied and he would need to file  an appeal. The  call was terminated 
by the  SSA when Cobb  became irate and began using profanity. Several minutes later, Cobb called 
back and threatened to "blow up" the Social Security building the next day.

A  search of  the  defendant’s home  revealed a  M-1  rifle  and ammunition. After  being advised 
of and waiving his Miranda rights, Cobb admitted to making the threat and to also possessing the 
M-1 rifle and ammunition.

Cobb was previously convicted for aggravated assault, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, 
failure  to  appear in  a  felony  case and robbery.  As  a  result of  his  prior  felony 
convictions, Cobb is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On March 2, 2022,  Cobb pled guilty to communicating a threat and to being a  felon in possession 
of a firearm.

On June 9, 2022,  United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Cobb to 84 months in 
federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release.  There is no
parole in the federal system.

“The  safety of  our  citizens  and  communities is  a  top  priority  for  Homeland Security 
Investigations (HSI) and threats against government facilities and employees must be taken 
seriously,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in  Charge Jerry C. Templet Jr. “The investigative 
efforts of our special agents, working with their law enforcement partners, is reflected in the 
sentencing of this previously convicted felon.”

“This sentence reflects the severity of Mr. Cobb’s actions and should stand as a warning to anyone  
who threatens any SSA official who is  simply carrying out  their duties. This behavior will not be 
tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector 
General for the Social Security Administration.  “I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for 
prosecuting this case.”

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General 
and Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Wagner and Steven Hall prosecuted this case on behalf of the 
government.

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