DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of Tennessee

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Kevin G. Ritz
, United States Attorney

Convicted Felon Sentenced to 11 Years for Possession of Firearms, Possession of Controlled Substances With the Intent To Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

Memphis, TN – Antwon Brown, 30, has been sentenced to 138 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, in February 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into Antwon Brown, a convicted felon and known member of the Unknown Vice Lords street gang.

On February 14, 2022, a confidential informant purchased a firearm and approximately half a pound of marijuana from Brown in a parking lot on Whitten Road.

On April 15, 2022, Brown was arrested and found to be in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, digital scales, plastic baggies, and a pistol. On September 12, 2022, Brown pled guilty to all 7 counts of a federal indictment charging him with being a convicted felon in possession of firearms (2 counts); possession of marijuana and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute (3 counts); and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (2 counts).

On December 15, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl Lipman sentenced Brown to 138 months imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the ATF.

United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Wendy K. Cornejo and P. Neal Oldham, who prosecuted this case.

Nashville Field Division