U.S. Attorney Announces the Indictment of 13 Individuals for Federal Firearms Charges
Memphis, TN – On September 26, 2019, a federal grand jury in Memphis indicted 13 individuals for federal firearms violations. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictments today.
As charged in the indictments, all 13 of the defendants are prohibited by federal firearms laws from possessing firearms as a result of either prior violent felony convictions, prior drug felony convictions, or prior misdemeanor domestic violence convictions.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Violent crime reduction is the top priority of this office and the Department of Justice. Many violent crimes are committed by prohibited persons with firearms, including convicted felons, persons with a history of domestic violence, and persons possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking. Under our PSN initiative, we focus on removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons, and removing dangerous offenders from our streets. This office will aggressively prosecute and seek mandatory federal sentencing guidelines to target and remove from our communities those armed career criminals and career drug offenders who illegally possess firearms in Memphis and across West Tennessee. We are Fed Up. Gun Crime is Max Time."
Several defendants charged in this series of indictments are alleged to be convicted felons. Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual convicted of a felony to possess a firearm. This is a violation of Title 18, United States Code (USC), § 922(g)(1). A violation of this section is punishable by a term of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of no less than two years. The penalty for a violation of § 922(g)(1) is enhanced when a defendant has a prior criminal record that includes three convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offenses. Under this enhanced sentencing provision, the defendant is subject to a mandatory minimum statutory sentence of at least 15 years imprisonment, and up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Federal firearms laws also prohibit an individual convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm. This is a violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(9). An individual convicted of violating this section is subject to a term of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of no less than two years.
It is also against federal law to possess or use and carry a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. This is a violation of Title 18, USC, § 924(c). A violation of this section is punishable by a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of at least five years imprisonment and up to a maximum of life imprisonment.
Those charged in this recent group of indictments include:
Tico Hopson, 25, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a SCCY 9 mm pistol after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Winnig is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Robert Webb, 40, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol after previously being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(9). Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Courtney Peterson, 31, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a stolen Sig Sauer .40 caliber handgun after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cotten is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
William Martin, 29, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, USC, § 924(c); possession of a Glock 9 mm caliber pistol, a Ruger .380 caliber pistol, and a Remington Arms, Inc. 7 mm Magnum caliber rifle after previously being convicted of a felony in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1); and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 841(a)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Euriqueo Holloway, 42, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, USC, § 924(c); possession of an American Tactical Incorporated .300 Blackout caliber pistol, a Jimenez Arms 9 mm caliber pistol, and a Remington Arms 12 gauge shotgun after previously being convicted of a felony in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1); and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 841(a)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Kaleb Green, 29, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Smith & Wesson 9 mm Parabellum caliber pistol after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Michael Covington, 30, of Memphis, was charged with possessing PMC 9 mm Luger caliber ammunition after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Demarcus Burks, 33, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Kel-tec 9 mm pistol after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Jeremiah Williams, 34, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Taurus 9 mm pistol after previously being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(9). Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Kenneth Taylor, 31, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Sturm, Ruger & Company 9 mm caliber pistol after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Omar Fair, 29, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Rossi (Taurus International) .357 caliber revolver after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1); and after previously being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(9). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Winnig is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Montinez Wright, 30, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol after previously being convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1); and while on the grounds and premises of a school zone, the Sherwood Elementary School, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(q)(2)(A). Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Crow is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Jason Smith, 36, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Diamondback multi-caliber pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, USC, § 924(c); possession of a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony in violation of Title 18, USC, § 922(g)(1); and possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, in violation of Title 18, USC, § 841(a)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal Oldham is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
These federal firearms cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, the PSN Task Force was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement and the community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. The PSN Task Force includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office; the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Memphis Police Department; and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, who have all joined together to address gun-related crimes through targeted investigations and aggressive prosecution.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Cherri Green
Public Affairs
Cherri.green@usdoj.gov
(901) 544-4231