HELENA-WEST HELENA, AR – Demarcus Parker, 31, of Marion, Arkansas, is headed to federal prison for 50 months after being convicted of receiving a firearm while under felony information. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr., significantly exceeds the recommended guideline of 15 to 21 months, a clear signal of the severity of Parker’s history.
The case originated from a traffic stop on January 17, 2020, when West Memphis Police officers pulled over a white 2007 Cadillac Escalade driven by Parker. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm hidden under the center console. Parker admitted to possessing the weapon, fully aware that he was already facing multiple felony charges – including capital murder – stemming from a 2018 incident.
Those initial charges centered around the death of Forrest City Police Officer Oliver Johnson, who was fatally struck by a stray bullet during a gang-related shootout on April 28, 2018. Parker was initially convicted of murder following a jury trial, but that conviction was overturned on procedural grounds in March 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, anticipating Parker’s release following the Supreme Court’s mandate, moved swiftly to secure a federal indictment on April 5, 2023, for the firearm possession charge.
U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross emphasized the proactive approach taken by his office and the ATF Memphis Field Office. “We did this by securing an indictment from a federal grand jury… in order to protect the public from Mr. Parker for as long as possible,” Ross stated. Parker has been in continuous custody since before the Arkansas Supreme Court issued its order for release on May 4, 2023. This ensured a seamless transfer to federal custody.
The stolen firearm was traced back to Denton, Texas, in 2017. Beyond the 50-month prison term, Parker will also serve three years of supervised release upon his eventual release. Federal sentencing guidelines do not allow for parole. The U.S. Attorney’s office made it clear that Parker’s “extremely violent criminal past” and “disrespect for the law” were key factors in seeking a harsher sentence.
This case underscores the collaborative effort between federal and local law enforcement to target dangerous offenders, particularly when state-level options are limited. As Ross put it, the prosecution focused on “prosecuting the most dangerous and violent offenders when no other options are available to the State of Arkansas.” The incident highlights the revolving door of justice and the lengths authorities will go to keep repeat offenders off the streets.
Related Federal Cases
- Pedro Garcia, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Oxnard CA, 2024 · Texas
- Bobby Joe Hampton, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, AR, 2015 · Texas
- Jason Lee Pyles, Federal Firearm Possession, AR 2016 · Texas
- Peyton McCray Roberts, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, TN 2020 · Tennessee
- Daniel Lee Marshall, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Texas 2014 · California
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