United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz has made public a suite of federal indictments aimed squarely at addressing the misuse of firearms, specifically targeting the unauthorized possession of machine gun conversion devices known as "switches." The legal pressure comes as part of a broader clampdown on gun violence in the Memphis area, with nine individuals now facing federal firearms charges. “Our citizens deserve to feel safe in their city, and that’s why there is no higher priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office than reducing violent crime in Memphis,” emphasized Ritz, pinpointing the reduction of violent crime as a non-negotiable priority for his office, according to an announcement on the U.S. Attorney's Office website.

In Memphis, a convicted felon, Wayne Sanders, was included among the accused, with an indictment that came down on June 11, 2024, alleging possession of firearms modified to operate as machine guns. This indictment resulted from efforts to tirelessly enforce federal firearms laws. Ritz has pledged to consistently and vigorously prosecute those individuals driving the violence in the community.

Other named defendants face similar legal scrutiny for their connections to these lethal devices. An array of charges was brought against individuals ranging in age from 20 to 35, for crimes including drug and gun offenses, carjacking, and felonious possession of ammunition. The indictment document notes that Jeremy Walker, Leon Moore, Camron Taylor, Montez Carr, Jocquel Williams, Al Kendrick Malone, Cedric Arnold, and Jartavius Lewis are among those indicted for a spectrum of firearm-related crimes. A recovered firearm played a pivotal role in the escalation to federal charges when Sanders allegedly pointed an illegally possessed gun at an officer before he attempted to flee the scene.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Gun Task Force are the spearheads in this investigation, drawing attention to the ongoing struggle against the proliferation of illegal gun modifications. While the charges are stern reminders of potential consequences, the indictments serve as accusations rather than convictions; as the law mandates, the accused remain innocent until proven otherwise. The final determination of each defendant's fate, if they are convicted, will rest with the judicial process, taking into consideration a matrix of factors unique to each case.

The latest indictments find their place in the context of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a critical initiative launched to forge a palpable reduction in violent crime and gun violence. PSN emphasizes community engagement, preventative measures, targeted enforcement, and measurable outcomes. The announcement of these indictments was dated June 13. For further details or to report information regarding "switches" or other federal gun crimes, the ATF encourages calls to their hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS.