Date: 11-18-2019

Case Style:

Case Number: 2:18-cr-20056-JTF

Judge: John T. Fowlkes, Jr.

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee (Shelby County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: J. William Crow

Defendant's Attorney:

Call 918-582-6422 if you need help finding a criminal defense lawyer in Memphis, Tennessee for an unlawful transportation of a firearm case.

Description: Memphis, TN - The United States of America charged Jonathan Shelton with unlawful transportation of a firearm in violaiton of 18 U.S.C. 922.

Jonathan Shelton, 29, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon illegally in possession of firearms and drugs.

According to information presented in court, on April 23, 2017 at approximately 4:30 PM, Multi-Agency Gang Unit ("MGU") detectives were investigating a theft near the gun show at the Agricenter at 7777 Walnut Grove Road. While there, they were stopped by the security detail at the gun show, who told the officers that an individual was causing a disturbance inside the gun show and smelled very strongly of marijuana. This individual was later identified as Jonathan Shelton. Officers watched Shelton hand a large amount of cash to a female and then be escorted out of the gun show by security. The female was later identified as Tammy Fox, 50,—Shelton’s mother.

Officers followed Shelton outside and saw him get into the rear left passenger seat of a 2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor. A short time later, Fox exited the gun show carrying a Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol--a black semi-automatic AR-15 style pistol. She then got into the rear right passenger seat and handed the pistol to Shelton. Detectives followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop because the windows were tinted below the Tennessee legal limit.

The car had four occupants: Shelton in the left rear passenger seat; Fox in the right rear passenger seat; Mario Silas, 39, in the front passenger seat; and, Sheritha Wells, 39, the registered owner of the vehicle, in the driver’s seat. Officers saw in plain view the Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol on the floorboard of the left rear passenger seat where Shelton was seated and could smell marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A K9 unit on scene provided a positive alert for narcotics.

Officers searched the vehicle based on the marijuana smell and on the K9 positive alert. In a brown purse, they found 0.7 grams of cocaine, 1.2 grams of heroin, 4.8 grams of marijuana and a Ruger .357 caliber revolver. Officers also recovered a stolen Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol in the glove box and the Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol from the left rear floorboard.

All of the occupants of the vehicle waived their rights and gave statements to the police. Wells denied knowledge of any of the firearms or drugs. Silas admitted to possessing the stolen Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol. Shelton admitted to possessing the Spikes Tactical multi-caliber pistol, the Ruger .357 revolver and all of the drugs. He later admitted on recorded jail calls to putting the gun and drugs in his mother’s purse. Fox admitted to purchasing the Spikes Tactical multi caliber pistol for her son. At the time of these events Silas was a convicted felon; Shelton was a knowingly convicted felon; and Fox had been knowingly convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

On November 13, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Shelton to 100 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. On November 28, 2018, the co-defendant Silas was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release. Tammy Fox has pleaded guilty to being in possession of a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and is set for sentencing on January 9, 2020.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Reducing gun and violent crime is the top priority of this office and the Department of Justice. Prohibited persons in possession of firearms, such as convicted felons, persons with histories of domestic violence, and unlawful users of illegal narcotics present a known and immediate risk of violence to their families and the community at large. Clearly, all three of these defendants possessed firearms despite their prohibited status, and I commend the work of our federal and local law enforcement partners in holding them responsible and removing them from our streets."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Multi-Agency Gang Unit.

Outcome: 11/13/2019 162 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr.: Sentencing held on 11/13/2019 for Jonathan Shelton (2), Count(s) 3, 100 Months BOP; 3 Years Supervised Release. Defendant present in Court with counsel & sworn. Defendant entered into a stipulation, exhibits/proof presented: Exh's 1&2. The Court's recommendation as to Supervised Release: 1. The defendant shall cooperate in the collection of DNA.2. The defendant shall participate in drug testing and treatment as directed by the probation officer.3. The defendant shall participate in mental health counseling and treatment as directed by the probation officer.4. The defendant participate in vocational training as directed by the probation officer.5. The defendant shall participate in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) or another similar approved cognitive behavioral therapy program as directed by the probation officer.6. The defendant shall submit his or her person, property, house, residence, vehicle, papers, [computers (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1030(e)(1)), other electronic communications or data storage devices or media,] or office, to a search conducted by a United States Probation Officer. Failure to submit to a search may be grounds for revocation of release. The defendant shall warn any other occupants that the premises may be subject to searches pursuant to this condition. An officer may conduct a search pursuant to this condition only when reasonable suspicion exists that the defendant has violated a condition of his supervision and that the areas to be searched contain evidence of this violation. Any search must be conducted at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. Defendant advised of Appeal Rights & handed Appeal Packet. Defendant remanded to USM. (AUSA: William Crow)(Defense: Ruchee Patel)(USPO: Vanessa Roberts) (Court Reporter Mark Dodson.) (wrh) (Entered: 11/13/2019)
11/13/2019 163 Stipulation as to Jonathan Shelton (wrh) (Entered: 11/13/2019)
11/13/2019 164 EXHIBIT LIST as to Jonathan Shelton. (wrh) (Entered: 11/13/2019)
11/13/2019 165 JUDGMENT as to Jonathan Shelton (2), Count(s) 3, 100 Months BOP; 3 Years Supervised Release.. Signed by Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. on 11/13/2019. (Fowlkes, John) (Entered: 11/13/2019)
11/13/2019 166 REDACTED JUDGMENT signed by Judge, John T. Fowlkes, Jr. (wrh) (Entered: 11/13/2019)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: