The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has confirmed a sentence for a man with a heavy criminal background, according to an announcement from the Western District of Tennessee. Jason Autry, now 50 years old, will be returning to federal prison for 228 months following his conviction on firearms offenses. This comes after Autry, already a 16-time convicted felon, was released from state prison in September 2020 for previous charges including gun possession and his involvement in the high-profile case of Holly Bobo's abduction and murder.
About 25 days post-release, Autry was caught with a stolen gun, and within the next 53 days, he had accumulated additional firearms and ammunition. His admission of guilt on three counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition came in November 2022, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee. The case, attracting attention for its severity and Autry's notorious criminal activities, was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Beth Boswell and Josh Morrow, with AUSA Naya Bedini contributing at sentencing and on appeal.
U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson imposed the 228-month sentence after the United States pushed for an upward departure, arguing that his extensive and serious criminal history was not fully captured by the guidelines range. The Sixth Circuit Court's affirmation reiterates the gravity of Autry's past, which includes grave offenses like aggravated assault, active participation in the Aryan Nation gang, and a reputation for violence that extends to his immediate social and familial circles. His past is marked not only with criminality but with a particular notoriety and disregard for the sanctity of both law and life.
The decision to uphold Autry's sentence took into account his "egregious criminal history," citing his admitted involvement in the 2011 crime against Holly Bobo and a subsequent record that features a range of violent and serious crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office press release. The investigation into Autry's case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, alongside the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, showcasing inter-agency collaboration in the pursuit of sustained justice.
