Tommie Conner, a 49-year-old resident of Memphis, has been sentenced to over 16 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren announced the sentencing.
The case stems from an incident on March 4, 2021, when a Memphis Police Department officer observed Conner speeding in a Dodge Durango on American Way. After being pulled over, Conner fled the scene but was later apprehended by officers. A handgun was found in plain view inside the vehicle and subsequently recovered after obtaining a search warrant.
Conner's criminal history includes pleading guilty to multiple counts of robbery and aggravated robbery in 1993, resulting in a 10-year sentence. In 2005, he was again convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 15 years under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA).
In September 2021, Conner faced another indictment for firearm possession as a felon. A jury found him guilty in June 2024 and determined that at least three prior offenses occurred on different occasions, qualifying him for sentencing under ACCA.
On December 19, 2024, United States District Court Senior Judge John T. Fowlkes handed down the sentence of 200 months with an additional three years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow parole.
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) Initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The investigation involved the PSN Gun Task Force, Memphis Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Acting U.S. Attorney Fondren expressed gratitude to Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Wagner and Jermal Blanchard for prosecuting the case along with law enforcement partners who conducted the investigation.
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