Joshua Brogdon, Convicted Felon Firearm Possession, TN 2020

Joshua Brogdon, 33, is headed to federal prison for 64 months after being caught with a loaded 9mm pistol while under supervision and wanted on an active warrant. The Memphis man was sentenced August 4, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm — a federal offense carrying no parole.

On August 20, 2019, Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit was staking out a motel on Sycamore View when surveillance turned deadly real. Detectives watched a woman exit a room and approach a man downstairs. That man — later identified as Brogdon — had a pistol visibly sticking out of his back pocket. Officers moved in, detained him, and seized the SCCY CPX-2 9mm, loaded with 10 rounds. No valid handgun permit was found.

Inside Brogdon’s pocket, officers discovered more than just a gun. An eyeglass case held a small plastic baggie with suspected methamphetamine, syringes, and a straw — evidence that deepened the criminal snapshot. But the real bombshell came during background checks: Brogdon was already a multiple-time felon, barred under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Further records revealed he was on supervised release from the Western District of Tennessee and had an active arrest warrant from Arkansas. His return to illegal gun possession violated the terms of that release, sealing his fate for a federal prosecution. The dual violation — firearm offense and supervised release breach — led to the combined 64-month sentence and three additional years of supervised release upon his return.

“Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to the community,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant. “By bringing them to justice, we reduce the level of violence on the street and the threat of crime in our neighborhoods. If you illegally carry a gun, we will certainly carry you to federal prison.”

The case was handled by the Memphis Police Department and the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, part of a nationwide Justice Department initiative to dismantle violent crime networks through federal prosecution. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig, detailed from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, prosecuted the case, underscoring the local-federal partnership in targeting repeat offenders with guns.