U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced nine federal indictments against individuals charged with firearm and violent crime offenses in West Tennessee. The indictments, issued on July 25, 2024, demonstrate the office’s commitment to prosecuting violent crimes and illegal possession of machine gun conversion devices, known as “switches,” Glock switches or auto sears. These devices are illegal under federal law. Some states such as Illinois and Massachusetts also specifically ban their possession and use.
“Violent crime threatens both physical safety and daily life,” said Ritz, who works out of the Western District of Tennessee. “Memphis citizens deserve safety, and reducing violent crime is our top priority. We will work with law enforcement to ensure those violating federal firearm laws are brought to justice.”
Defendants charged with possessing guns with attached machine-gun conversion devices include:
- Kaderion Stokes, 19: Also charged with stealing guns from a federally licensed dealer 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 device.
- Jamario Bobo, 21: Charged with possessing a gun with a machine-gun conversion device.
- Jarvis Clayborn, 25: Charged with possessing a gun with a machine-gun conversion device.
Other defendants indicted for firearm or violent crime offenses include:
- Davonte Vortis, 26: Charged with armed carjacking and robbery, as well as brandishing a firearm during these crimes.
- Michael Kelly, 27: Charged with armed carjacking, illegal firearm possession, and brandishing a firearm during the carjacking.
- Markel Strong, 28: Charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after previous convictions.
- Turante Nunn, 32: Charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after previous convictions.
- Demetrius Williams, 28: Charged with possessing 21 stolen firearms.
These indictments are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program uniting law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and enhance neighborhood safety. Launched in 2021, the program focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results. These cases were investigated by the ATF, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Project Safe Neighborhoods Gun Task Force and the Memphis Police Department.
This initiative reflects the determination of some attorney generals to rigorously prosecute and penalize those involved in gun violence, ensuring public safety through strict enforcement of federal firearm laws. Now if the judges will just do their jobs…assuming guilty convictions in each case…and mete out harsh sentences to keep criminals locked away.
They actually gonna do time, or are they already out!?
Federal system still falls under truth in sentencing and no bail reform last I remember so if convicted….. probably not.
The defendants must have voted Republican’t.
I can’t see any reason for the Fed’s to be prosecuting local violations.
Historical note: Operation Exile was discontinues due to disproportionate impact.
What an epic waste of money and resources…
These cases were investigated by the ATF, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Project Safe Neighborhoods Gun Task Force…
Are the local cops that helpless, or are these people justifying their existence like good little fed minions?
There are times outside enforcement can be necessary (incompetence, corruption, lack of effective resources, etc) and honestly don’t know the specifics for that region but NY has a few areas where the feds are the only realistic enforcement mechanism…… whether they should be varies but for interstate gangs fed/regional task forces do make sense.
In Mpls. that would be the only way that the bangers end up being charged – the county prosecutor won’t do it, much to the chagrin of the remaining MPD officers. The city slides further into the sewer since sainting a certain repeat felon fentanyl user
Memphis is the largest city in TN. It’s usually a top five violent crime city in the US.
Federal Law = Investigated by Feds / Federal Jurisdiction
State Law = Investigated by State Police / State Jurisdiction
NFA is a federal law, so State / Local police have no “requirement” to investigate or support Federal Law Enforcement Agencies with those laws (same as with CA & immigration laws, etc).
Of course, they could investigate / charge for state or local laws. That’s a reasonable question…..
I’m guessing it’s the locals that usually arrest these low level criminals. Is it only the feds that investigate stolen firearms (from FFL)? Sure, hand it off to the feds to prosecute the federal crimes.
We don’t need more than one federal investigation agency. It’s silly to have the Secret Service investigating financial crimes. There’s a reason they don’t want to give that up. Retired agents often end up working for the banks they make connections with.
Such a waste of time. All they need do is encourage law abiding citizens to arm up. I just love it when an intended carjacking victim responds to the threat by blowing the perp into eternity. When that becomes commonplace, idiots will stop taking the risk. Almost as good, is just running the perp down with your car.
The current system of arresting, charging, plea bargaining, and releasing violent offenders is demonstrably broken.
Disproportion should have noting to do with guilty/innocent or prosecute/don’t prosecute.
Guess it may be a good idea to check with local enforcement and determine if now is a good time to do a crime based on disproportion.
The statistics is very racist. I bet these innocent young men were on their way to act in TV commercials when arrested all over sudden.
How close to zero percent do you think these prosecutions are?
This stuff is like the olympics, only comes around every 4 years or so.
Kaderion, Keelon, Jamario, Davonte, Markel, Turante, Demetrius
LOLOLOLOL!
The USUAL SUSPECTS!
tully mudslinger…Your bigot recruiting “usual suspects” dribble is as pathetic as a useful idiot recruiting Gun Control zealot calling the Glock 17, Glock 19, Glock 26, Glock 43 and Polymer 80 the “usual suspects.” It’s called Criminal Misuse…like the perp on the roof.
Something about that list of names…hmmm. Oh, I know. It’s those darn Amish at it again.
Meanwhile, in Chitcago…..
“Itsa-me, Jamario!!
They’re mad because they never could find any of those little bike license plates with their names on them when they were kids.
if i didn’t know any better, i would have to assume i am being trolled with those names.