United States Attorney Ritz Announces Nine Federal Indictments for Firearm and Violent Crimes

Memphis, TN - United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced today that, on July 25, 2024, nine individuals were charged with federal gun and violent crime offenses in West Tennessee. United States Attorney Ritz also reinforced his office's commitment to federal prosecution of individuals who commit violent crimes, illegally possess machine gun conversion devices (also known as "switches"), or commit other federal firearm offenses.

"Violent crime is not just a threat to physical safety-it is a threat to our citizens' ability to go about their day-to-day lives," said United States Attorney Ritz. "The citizens of Memphis deserve to feel safe, and that's why there is no higher priority for my office than reducing violent crime in our city. Our prosecutors will continue to work with law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who violate federal firearm laws."

The following defendants were charged with federal crimes involving switches:

• Kaderion Stokes, 19. Stokes was previously charged with stealing guns from a federally licensed firearms dealer and possession of stolen firearms. In a superseding indictment on July 25, 2024, Stokes was also charged with possessing a gun with an attached machine-gun conversion device.

• Keelon Shields, 28. Shields was indicted on July 25, 2024, on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing a gun with an attached machine-gun conversion device.

• Jamario Bobo, 21. Bobo was indicted on July 25, 2024, on one count of possessing a gun with an attached machine-gun conversion device.

• Jarvis Clayborn, 25. Clayborn was indicted on July 25, 2024, on one count of possessing a gun with an attached machine-gun conversion device.

The following defendants were charged with other firearm or violent crime offenses:

• Davonte Vortis, 26. Vortis was indicted on July 25, 2024, for committing an armed carjacking and an armed business robbery, both on August 31, 2023. He is charged with one count of carjacking, one count of robbery of a business in interstate commerce, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to these crimes.

• Michael Kelly, 27. Kelly was indicted on July 25, 2024, for committing an armed carjacking and illegally possessing a firearm on January 16, 2022. He is charged with one count of carjacking, one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the carjacking, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• Markel Strong, 28. Strong was indicted on July 25, 2024, on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, after having been previously convicted of three serious drug offenses or violent felonies.

• Turante Nunn, 32. Nunn was indicted on July 25, 2024, on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, after having been previously convicted of three serious drug offenses or violent felonies.

• Demetrius Williams, 28. Williams was indicted on July 25, 2024, on two counts of possessing stolen firearms. The indictment alleges Williams possessed a total of 21 stolen firearms.

These cases are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Safe Streets Task Force; the Project Safe Neighborhoods Gun Task Force; and the Memphis Police Department. Anyone with information about switches or other federal gun crimes can call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).

The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law. If convicted, each defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after review of the factors unique to the case, including the defendant's prior criminal records (if any), the defendant's role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

These indictments are 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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, using data-driven methods to set focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked the Assistant United States Attorneys who are prosecuting these cases, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the cases.

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