Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Memphis, TN –A convicted felon has been found guilty by a federal jury for making false statements on federal background check form ATF 4473 and for illegally possessing firearms. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.

According to information presented in court, on April 8, 2008, Tyrone Todd was convicted of felony burglary of a dwelling in Tate County, MS. On July 11, 2016, Todd went to the AA pawnshop to buy a firearm. The AA pawnshop is a federal firearms licensee, which requires purchasers to complete a federal background check form prior to purchasing a firearm. In this case, Todd filled out the ATF Form 4473, indicating he was not a convicted felon and was therefore not prohibited from possessing a firearm. The firearm was later transferred to the defendant on July 30, 2016.

On June 8, 2018, Shelby County Sheriff Deputies responded to Todd’s home on an aggravated assault call after he violently assaulted his girlfriend. The defendant fled the scene when officers responded. Deputies searched the home and found his Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol under his bed.

The defendant was indicted for making a false statement on the ATF Form 4473 and with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On February 28, 2019, a federal jury convicted Todd on all three counts.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Prosecutions of violent crimes must be paired with proactive prevention efforts to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and other prohibited persons. Convicted felons who attempt to thwart the background check process by lying on the required ATF forms threaten to undermine this important crime prevention tool, and such conduct cannot be tolerated. As part of our violence reduction strategy, we want to take guns out of the hands of dangerous people, and take violent

offenders off our streets. Let this serve as a warning: This office will vigorously prosecute any prohibited persons who illegally obtain a firearm in these "lie-and-try" cases.

Sentencing is set for May 30, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. At that time, the United States anticipates presenting additional evidence regarding the assault the defendant committed against his then girlfriend on June 8, 2018. Todd faces up to 10 years imprisonment; a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. William Crow and Karen Hartridge are prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.

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