Martin Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison on Weapons Convictions

Memphis, TN – Anthony Taylor, age 46, of Martin, Tenn., received a federal prison sentence of over 21 years, or 262 months, following his conviction on January 28, 2014, by a jury on two counts related to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Edward L. Stanton III, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Glenn Anderson.

“Federal and local law enforcement did an outstanding job in bringing the defendant to justice,” said United States Attorney Stanton. “The Court’s sentence of 262 months sends a strong message that we will aggressively prosecute individuals who illegally possess and sell weapons.”

“The result of this investigation is more evidence of ATF’s commitment to combating violent crime in Tennessee,” stated Special Agent in Charge Anderson. “ATF’s Frontline strategy utilizes every available resource to make our communities a safer place to live.”

According to the facts alleged in the criminal complaint and revealed in open court, on January 17, 2013, detectives of the Martin Police Department in Martin, Tenn., conducted an undercover operation utilizing a confidential informant. The confidential informant purchased what was later determined to be a stolen 12 gauge shotgun from Taylor. Taylor is a previously multi-convicted felon.

In addition to the prison sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge J. Daniel Breen ordered Taylor to serve two years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the City of Martin, Tenn. Police Department. U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Victor L. Ivy and James Powell represented the government.