DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, February 6, 2018
D. Michael Dunavant
, United States Attorney
Contact: Cherri Green

Memphis Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm that Resulted in

Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury has indicted a Memphis man with possession of a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictment today.

On Thursday, January 25, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Jeremy Shields, 25, for possession of a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. This charge is based on the possession of a firearm that resulted in injuries to Shields’ three-year-old son.

On May 7, 2017, officers of the Memphis Police Department responded to Methodist South Hospital, where a three-year-old victim was being treated for a single gunshot wound and in critical condition. The child was later stabilized and sent to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, where he underwent additional surgeries to save his life.

Investigators discovered that the shooting occurred in Shields’ apartment in the Presidential West Apartments, located on the 5400 block of Hudgins Road. Shields told investigators that he kept a Smith & Wesson .45 caliber pistol in the apartment. The serial number of the pistol was obliterated.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Based upon Attorney General Sessions’ announced priority for violent crime reduction, this office has resolved to be more aggressive and creative in using all of the applicable federal statutes to charge firearms offenses by prohibited persons and this case is a prime example of that commitment. I want to commend our law enforcement partners as we continue to work together to bring to justice those causing havoc throughout the Western District of Tennessee by the illegal use and possession of firearms. As this indictment demonstrates, if you are intent on

committing crimes with a firearm in this district, rest assured you will be brought to justice. Gun Crime is Max Time."

If convicted, Shields faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment; $250,000 fine and a maximum of 3 years supervised release to begin after incarceration.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 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.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Phillips is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.

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St. Paul Field Division