Jarquez Sigears, Illegal Gun Trafficking, Tennessee 2022

MEMPHIS, TN – Jarquez Sigears, 35, is headed to federal prison for over a decade after being convicted of illegally peddling firearms on the streets of Memphis. U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris handed down a 151-month sentence – effectively 12 years and seven months – to Sigears on October 25, 2022, followed by three years of supervised release. No parole exists in the federal system, meaning Sigears will serve the full term.

The case began to unfold in April 2019 when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received credible intelligence that Sigears was actively engaged in the illicit purchase and sale of guns within the city. This wasn’t a one-off deal; Sigears was reportedly running a small-scale operation, ignoring the fact he was already a convicted felon – and therefore legally barred from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

ATF agents went undercover, posing as buyers, and over a two-month period – May and June of 2019 – successfully purchased multiple weapons directly from Sigears. The haul included three Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistols, a Ceska Zbrojobka (CZ) 9mm pistol, a Kel-Tec .22 caliber pistol, a Taurus 9mm caliber pistol, and a GMMG 9mm semi-automatic rifle. What made the situation even more dangerous? Several of the guns had been previously reported stolen, and all were loaded when Sigears handed them over.

Sigears’ prior criminal history played a significant role in the sentencing. He was already a convicted felon, having previously been found guilty of aggravated assault. This prior conviction automatically disqualifies an individual from legally owning or possessing firearms under federal law. The ATF’s investigation clearly demonstrated Sigears knowingly violated this law, putting dangerous weapons into the hands of potentially dangerous individuals.

U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz, representing the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today, emphasizing the commitment of his office to combating illegal gun trafficking. “This sentence sends a clear message,” Ritz stated. “Those who illegally traffic firearms, especially convicted felons, will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The ATF’s Nashville Field Division led the investigation, working diligently to track Sigears’ activities and build a solid case. The lengthy sentence serves as a stark warning to others contemplating similar criminal behavior in Memphis and beyond – the ATF and the Department of Justice are actively working to get guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, and they will pursue convictions and significant prison time.

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