Memphis Felon Slammed with 18+ Years for Illegal Firearm

Markel Strong, a 29-year-old Memphis native, received a heavy punch today as he was sentenced to 221 months in federal prison for being an armed career criminal. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced that Strong, who had multiple prior violent felony convictions, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison.

“Gun violence is a grave threat to our communities’ safety,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti declared. “This sentence is a testament to our commitment to protect the public by taking these repeat offenders off our streets.”

The Tennessee man’s downfall began on January 19, 2022, when Memphis Police Department officers pulled Strong over for a traffic violation. In plain sight, they found and seized a firearm from the vehicle’s front seat. Strong was immediately taken into custody.

Strong stood trial in federal court and was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also confirmed that his three previous violent felony convictions had occurred on different dates, triggering enhanced punishment under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

The ATF and MPD led the investigation into Strong’s illegal activities, while Trial Attorney Ashleigh Atasoy from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Regina Brittenum, prosecuted the case.

This sentence is a significant victory for the Violent Crime Initiative in Memphis, which aims to combat violent crime through partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.