DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, December 8, 2022
Kevin G. Ritz
, United States Attorney

Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Violating His Federal Supervised Release

Jackson, TN – Lavokeous Ivory, 29, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating his federal supervised release. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today.

On August 6, 2021, officers with the Milan Police Department were dispatched to a residence for an unwanted person call. The caller advised dispatch that the suspect, Lavokeous Ivory, was beating on her windows and front door and demanding that she let him in. One of the responding officers saw a man walking near the home who matched the description of the suspect. After telling the officer his name, Ivory started walking away and then started running from the officer. Ivory ran around the house and the officer followed him on foot.

While running, a pistol dropped from Ivory's waistband. Ivory stopped to pick up the pistol, and then tried to throw it on the roof of the home. While throwing the gun, it discharged, and the bullet hit the side of the house. The officers then attempted to detain Ivory, and while doing so Ivory picked up the gun. After other officers arrived on the scene, Ivory dropped the gun and was arrested.

Ivory had been previously convicted of a felony and was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense for illegally possessing two firearms on separate dates in February 2016. As a result of his prior felony convictions, Ivory is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On November 30, 2022, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Ivory to 70 months imprisonment for his illegal possession of a firearm on August 6, 2021, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Breen also determined that Ivory violated the terms of his federal supervised release by illegally possessing the firearm and imposed a 14-month prison sentence in that case, to run consecutively to the 70-month sentence for a total of 84 months imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Milan Police Department and the ATF.

United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow, who prosecuted the case.

###

Nashville Field Division