Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 68 Months Imprisonment for Gun Possession
MEMPHIS, TN – Angelo Bell, 37, has been sentenced to 68 months imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentencing today.
According to information presented in court, on April 12, 2019, Memphis Police Officers were patrolling the area of Leland and Kerr, where they saw Angelo Bell, a suspect they knew from prior encounters, and knew to have active warrants. Officers verified that Bell had several misdemeanor warrants, made contact with the suspect, and detained him. Officers recovered a loaded black handgun in Bell’s waistband. Bell had several prior felony convictions, including one for aggravated assault.
On January 13, 2020, Bell pleaded guilty. On April 12, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Bell to 68 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to the community, and in this case, Bell was a violent offender who continued to possess a firearm despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this is one more gun-toter that will be removed from our streets."
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel K. Winnig prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.
###