On November 1, 2024, Anthony Christopher Lively, a 41-year-old resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for firearm and explosives violations. The sentence was delivered by Judge Travis R. McDonough in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. After serving his prison term, Lively will be subject to three years of supervised release.
Lively pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered firearm silencer and unregistered destructive devices, in breach of the National Firearms Act. The legal proceedings were based on an investigation that began in August 2022 when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lively’s residence. The search led to the discovery of a Grand Power Stribog, Model SP9A1, 9-millimeter short-barrel rifle with a foldable stock and a fully loaded magazine, several firearm magazines, lists detailing explosive components, and various ammunition.
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Further investigation revealed that Lively had requested a family member to remove illegal items from his home before the warrant was executed. Authorities subsequently seized a firearm silencer, improvised explosive devices including pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails, and various explosives-related components from the family member’s residence. Lively admitted to purchasing and modifying the rifle and silencer and constructing the explosive devices. None of these items were registered as required by law.
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III and was investigated by multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations-Chattanooga Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Chattanooga Field Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin T. Brown represented the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The initiative emphasizes building trust, supporting community organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
Source: Read Original Release
Missouri Sex Offender Sentenced to 19 Years
Missouri resident Jayson Lance Luther, a registered sex offender, has been sentenced to over 19 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, following a series of explicit text exchanges initiated after meeting the minor in Tennessee. The case was prosecuted by federal authorities with support from local law enforcement, and Luther will also face 10 years of supervised release after his prison term.