A Memphis man has been sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz. The man, identified as 26-year-old Carl Turner, received his sentence after a series of events that led to his arrest and subsequent guilty plea.
The incident occurred on September 16, 2022, when law enforcement officers noticed Turner driving a white 2020 Kia Optima, which matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen the previous night. Upon attempting to stop Turner, he reversed, collided with a police vehicle, and initiated a high-speed chase through a residential area. The chase ended when Turner crashed into a utility pole and attempted to flee on foot, during which he discarded a brown backpack. This backpack was later recovered by officers and was found to contain a Bersa .380 caliber automatic pistol.
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Turner’s actions led to his arrest and, on November 20, 2023, he pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced him on March 14 to 150 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. It is noted that the federal system does not offer parole.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. The initiative emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence, establishing strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes to ensure effectiveness.
The PSN Gun Task Force, with assistance from the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, led the investigation that resulted in Turner’s federal prosecution. United States Attorney Ritz expressed gratitude towards Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Kuo for her role in prosecuting the case and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved.
Source: Read Original Release
Former Corrections Officer Sentenced for Obstruction
In Nashville, Tennessee, James Stewart Justice, a former corrections officer at the Maury County Jail, was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release after being convicted by a federal jury for falsifying records during an investigation into allegations of his sexual misconduct with an inmate. United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis emphasized the importance of upholding the law and public trust, while Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke pointed out the abuse of power involved and the duty of officers to protect those in their custody. Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta affirmed the FBI’s commitment to prosecuting those who misuse their positions of trust. The case, revealing Justice’s attempts to cover up his actions by submitting a misleading report, was investigated by the FBI Memphis Field Office, Nashville Resident Agency, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda J. Klopf and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton, highlighting ongoing efforts to address abuses within the correctional system.