Marvin Meux, Gun Possession, AR 2018

Marvin Meux, 45, of West Memphis, is behind bars for more than 17 years after being sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms during a violent repossession confrontation. The career felon, tied to the Gangster Disciples, stood before the court on February 15, 2018, as U.S. District Judge James M. Moody, Jr. handed down the stiff penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

Meux’s downfall began on October 21, 2015, when West Memphis police responded to reports of a gunpoint incident involving two repossession agents. The men were attempting to hook up a vehicle registered to Meux when he jumped into the driver’s seat and sped off—with one employee still inside. After a short, chaotic drive, Meux returned to his residence, where the shaken worker exited the car only to see Meux charging toward him, brandishing a small black firearm.

The repossession crew fled in their truck as Meux stood outside his home, pointing the weapon in their direction. The entire incident triggered a swift police response. Officers searching Meux’s residence recovered two firearms: an SKS assault rifle and a .38 caliber revolver. For a convicted felon, the discovery was a one-way ticket to federal prosecution.

On June 18, 2016, a federal grand jury indicted Meux on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on August 25, 2017. With a criminal history stacked with violent offenses, Meux qualified as an armed career criminal—triggering mandatory enhanced penalties. The law leaves no room for leniency: three or more violent or serious drug convictions mean a minimum 15-year federal sentence.

Judge Moody imposed the 210-month sentence—17.5 years—with no chance of parole, followed by three years of supervised release. Federal sentencing rules shut the door on early release, ensuring Meux will remain incarcerated well into his 60s. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas emphasized that felons with violent pasts won’t be allowed to rearm and reoffend on their watch.

The case was a joint operation between the West Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liza Brown and Michael Gordon led the prosecution. Cody Hiland, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and ATF Resident Agent in Charge Jeffrey Reed issued a joint statement: “Gun violence linked to repeat offenders and gangs ends here. This sentence sends a message.”