U.S. Legal professional Kevin G. Ritz introduced 9 federal indictments in opposition to people charged with firearm and violent crime offenses in West Tennessee. The indictments, issued on July 25, 2024, show the workplace’s dedication to prosecuting violent crimes and unlawful possession of machine gun conversion units, often called “switches,” Glock switches or auto sears. These units are unlawful beneath federal legislation. Some states akin to Illinois and Massachusetts additionally particularly ban their possession and use.
“Violent crime threatens each bodily security and day by day life,” stated Ritz, who works out of the Western District of Tennessee. “Memphis residents deserve security, and decreasing violent crime is our high precedence. We’ll work with legislation enforcement to make sure these violating federal firearm legal guidelines are dropped at justice.”
Defendants charged with possessing weapons with hooked up machine-gun conversion units embrace:
Kaderion Stokes, 19: Additionally charged with stealing weapons from a federally licensed supplier and possessing stolen firearms.
Keelon Shields, 28: Charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a gun with a machine-gun conversion gadget.
Jamario Bobo, 21: Charged with possessing a gun with a machine-gun conversion gadget.
Jarvis Clayborn, 25: Charged with possessing a gun with a machine-gun conversion gadget.
Different defendants indicted for firearm or violent crime offenses embrace:
Davonte Vortis, 26: Charged with armed carjacking and theft, in addition to brandishing a firearm throughout these crimes.
Michael Kelly, 27: Charged with armed carjacking, unlawful firearm possession, and brandishing a firearm in the course of the carjacking.
Markel Sturdy, 28: Charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after earlier convictions.
Turante Nunn, 32: Charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after earlier convictions.
Demetrius Williams, 28: Charged with possessing 21 stolen firearms.
These indictments are a part of Challenge Protected Neighborhoods, a program uniting legislation enforcement and communities to scale back violent crime and improve neighborhood security. Launched in 2021, this system focuses on constructing group belief, supporting violence prevention, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes. These circumstances had been investigated by the ATF, FBI Protected Streets Process Drive, Challenge Protected Neighborhoods Gun Process Drive and the Memphis Police Division.
This initiative displays the willpower of some lawyer generals to carefully prosecute and penalize these concerned in gun violence, making certain public security via strict enforcement of federal firearm legal guidelines. Now if the judges will simply do their jobs…assuming responsible convictions in every case…and mete out harsh sentences to maintain criminals locked away.
