Memphis man Tommie Conner, 49, has been handed a substantial prison term for firearms possession, marking another milestone in the ongoing effort to address violent crime. Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren announced that Conner received a 200-month sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing took place on Thursday and stems from an incident taking place in March 2021, when Conner was apprehended after fleeing from a traffic stop.
As detailed by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee, Conner's legal troubles escalated when a Memphis Police Department officer spotted him speeding in a Dodge Durango. Following a brief pursuit, Conner was located, and a handgun was seen in plain view in the vehicle. After obtaining a search warrant, officers seized a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol. Being a previously convicted felon, notably with robbery charges dating back to 1993 and a federal firearms possession conviction in 2005, Conner was barred from carrying firearms, a restriction that evidently did not deter him.
This latest indictment against Conner arrived in September 2021, leading to a jury finding him guilty in June 2024. The jury's findings were clear that Conner's prior offenses met the criteria for an enhanced sentence under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA). The ACCA targets repeat offenders with a history of violent crime or serious drug offenses, allowing for tougher sentencing. Conner's past convictions, which were required to have occurred on different occasions, were essential in the determination of his status as an armed career criminal.
In a courtroom presided over by Senior Judge John T. Fowlkes, Conner received 200 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, as dictated by federal law that does not recognize parole. This case is a manifestation of the Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) Initiative's dedication to curbing violence within communities through collaboration among law enforcement and local organizations. Acting U.S. Attorney Fondren praised the efforts of Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Wagner and Jermal Blanchard, as well as the PSN Gun Task Force, the Memphis Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their roles in bringing the case to a close.
For more information on the case, readers can refer to the official announcement by the Department of Justice.
