A Chattanooga jury has delivered a guilty verdict for Donald Ray Hobgood, 31, a convicted felon, for possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The case began on January 20, 2017, when Bedford County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to Cedar Springs Road in Shelbyville, Tennessee, after a report of a suspicious individual brandishing an AK-style semi-automatic rifle. Hobgood evaded arrest on that date, but on February 15, 2017, deputies received information as to his whereabouts and located him. A short foot pursuit ensued, during which Hobgood was subdued and arrested. The AK-style rifle, fully loaded with a high capacity 30-round magazine, was recovered nearby, and multiple loose rounds of ammunition were discovered in Hobgood’s pocket.
Hobgood faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison for each count of his conviction. If the judge determines that Hobgood qualifies as an armed career criminal, he faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for each count. Sentencing is set for June 1, 2018, in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office participated in the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Porter and Kyle Wilson represented the United States.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made addressing rising violent crime in America a top priority.
Hobgood’s conviction and upcoming sentencing serve as a reminder of the importance of enforcing gun laws and holding individuals accountable for their actions. The community can expect a safer environment as a result of this case.
The defendant’s real full name is Donald Ray Hobgood. The exact criminal charges are three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The city and state are Chattanooga, Tennessee. The exact date is January 31, 2018.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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