Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Memphis, TN – Courtney Freeman, 31, a/k/a Quatney Freeman has been sentenced to 154 months in federal prison for armed carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 25, 2018, Freeman approached a man sitting in a 2011 GMC Acadia at the Jubilee Express gas station on North Watkins. When Freeman tapped on the glass, the victim rolled the window down; Freeman then pointed a handgun at him and said, "Get out the car or I’ll blow you away." He immediately exited the car and Freeman entered the vehicle and drove away.

The victim ran to his home a few blocks away, called law enforcement, and reported his car stolen. Police responded and he informed them that his cell phone, wallet with credit cards, social security card, $260 in cash and a Ruger .380 pistol were all in the car at the time. Law enforcement later recovered security camera footage from the store, which confirmed the victim’s description. The victim identified Freeman to law enforcement as the person who carjacked him. Officers put out a stolen vehicle report.

The next day, September 26, 2018, Memphis Police found the stolen car on St. Charles Street. The vehicle was then towed and processed by a crime scene officer. Investigators found 7 pieces of paper with ridge detail, which were then forwarded to latent print examiners, who determined some of the prints belonged to Courtney Freeman.

Agents with the National Insurance Crime Bureau examined the VIN of the 2011 GMC Acadia and concluded the vehicle was manufactured outside the state of Tennessee.

The defendant pled guilty on September 1, 2020.

On June 15, 2021, U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Freeman to 154 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), National Crime Insurance Bureau and the Memphis Police Department.

U.S. Attorneys Raney Irwin and J. William Crow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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