⏱ 2 min read
Rodrigus Carter, a 42-year-old Memphis man with a history of burglary and drug convictions, was caught with two firearms in an abandoned commercial building in downtown Memphis on March 10, 2026. Carter, who has multiple prior felony convictions, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a federal jury on July 29, 2026. The conviction stems from a complaint by the building’s owner that individuals were living in the building without permission, prompting a police investigation. Carter’s prior convictions include three counts of Burglary of a Building, two counts of Aggravated Burglary, and Sale of a Controlled Substance.
Carter was found in the building with two others, and a revolver and semiautomatic pistol were discovered on a table in an interior office being used as a bedroom. Witnesses, including Carter, confirmed that the revolver belonged to him, while the other firearm belonged to his girlfriend. The jury’s verdict triggered enhanced sentencing penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), which mandates a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, with U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant stating that removing firearms from prohibited persons and removing dangerous felons from the streets is key to reducing violent crime. Carter’s sentencing is set for November 19, 2026, before Chief United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.
Carter’s conviction is a significant win for law enforcement in Memphis, who have been working to reduce violent crime in the city. The case highlights the importance of removing firearms from the hands of prohibited persons and holding accountable those who pose a threat to public safety.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Tennessee
- Location: TN
- Source: DOJ Press Release
