United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas
10/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/03/2024 14:33
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison For Being A Felon In Possession of A Firearm
Press Release
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison For Being A Felon In Possession of A Firearm
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Arkansas
Ms. Paulette Chappelle, Public Information Officer
LITTLE ROCK-Marcus Venson, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On August 24, 2023, Venson, 45, of Little Rock, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Venson to three years supervised release. Venson was indicted on November 2, 2022, in a second superseding indictment, on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
An investigation revealed that on March 18, 2018, the Little Rock Police Department responded to a call of a theft that just occurred at a residence. The caller at the scene advised officers that a person drove to a nearby residence and entered the residence. Officers located Venson's car outside and discovered he was inside the residence and carrying a television toward the front door. Venson, who was ordered to put the television down and show his hands, stated, "I'm just trying to steal stuff." At this time, officers observed a silver firearm in Venson's pocket, but Venson stated he did not have a firearm, while at the same time touching the firearm. Venson was placed into custody after officers ordered him to come out of the residence. During a search of Venson, officers recovered a firearm, ammunition, and phencyclidine (PCP).
Venson is classified as an armed career criminal offender due to his violent criminal history that includes convictions for aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, residential burglary, and battery in the second degree. There is no parole in the federal system.
The investigation was conducted by the Little Rock Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Crews and John Ray White.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
X (formerly known as Twitter):
Updated October 3, 2024
Component