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Kia Chase Ends with Felon Facing Decade Behind Bars
MEMPHIS, TN – Patrick Vaughn, 35, has admitted to illegally possessing a handgun after a frantic police chase through the streets of Memphis. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today, bringing a dangerous criminal one step closer to a lengthy federal prison sentence.
The incident unfolded on January 4, 2019, when detectives with the Memphis Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit zeroed in on Vaughn, suspected of carjacking, while he was driving a black 2006 Kia Amanti near Poplar Ave and Hollywood Street. Vaughn, seemingly aware of the surveillance, immediately attempted to evade the detectives, executing a series of reckless U-turns on Poplar Avenue. The situation quickly escalated, prompting detectives to request backup.
When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Vaughn floored it, leading police on a high-speed pursuit. He blew through multiple red lights and, adding insult to injury, slammed into other vehicles during the chase. He eventually abandoned the Kia and tried to escape on foot, but was quickly apprehended. A search of the vehicle revealed a black Ruger .380 caliber handgun – the centerpiece of his legal troubles.
After being read his Miranda rights, Vaughn confessed to being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. His criminal history, including a 2008 carjacking conviction, explicitly prohibits him from owning firearms or ammunition under federal law. This isn’t a simple oversight; it’s a deliberate disregard for the law, putting the community at risk. Vaughn pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. on August 24, 2020.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2020, where Vaughn faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Unlike state systems, there is no parole in the federal system – meaning what the judge hands down is what he’ll serve. U.S. Attorney Dunavant didn’t mince words: “Prohibited persons in possession of firearms such as convicted felons present a known and immediate risk of violence to the community at large. In order to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law, we must remove firearms from the hands of prohibited persons and remove dangerous felons from our streets.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig, currently on assignment from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, is prosecuting the case. This case is a stark reminder that those who repeatedly break the law will face the full weight of the federal justice system.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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