Memphis Man Who Shot Firearm in Community Center was Sentenced to 78 Months in Federal Prison

Memphis, TN – Marcus Dotson, 28, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for illegal possession of ammunition. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence 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 from 6 to 10. Before the game began, Marcus Dotson, 27, and his 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 his nephew 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 running from the gymnasium after the shooting, as well as witness’ identification of the defendant from a photo line-up.

On July 25, 2017, the Honorable Samuel H. Mays sentenced Dotson to 78 months’ confinement and 3 years supervised release to begin after his incarceration. Dotson currently has state criminal charges pending. The federal and state sentences will run concurrently.

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