Convicted Felon Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Memphis, TN – Melvin Hutchieson, 29, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on July 16, 2015, two men were repairing an air conditioner when the defendant robbed them at gunpoint. He took approximately $400 in cash and a Ruger .40 caliber pistol. The Ruger was reported stolen. During an unrelated drug investigation, Bartlett Police Department Detectives received information that Hutchieson was selling drugs and that he drove a gold Chevy Suburban.

On September 29, 2015, Bartlett detectives executed a search warrant for the Suburban and the residence where they believed the defendant was selling drugs. When the detectives arrived at the address to execute the warrants, they saw the defendant leaving in the Suburban. The detectives attempted to stop the Suburban, but the defendant continued to drive.

The defendant eventually stopped the car and was taken into custody. The detectives searched the Suburban and recovered a loaded Ruger.

Memphis Police Department detectives conducted a photographic lineup and the defendant was identified as the person who robbed the victims at gunpoint in July. The detectives also confirmed that the Ruger recovered in the Suburban was the weapon the defendant stole from the victims.

The case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force, which includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Memphis Police Department; and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, who have all joined together to address gun-related crimes through aggressive investigation and prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bayonle Osundare prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.