Michael Eaton, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Tennessee 2024

A federal judge has dealt a harsh blow to Union City resident Michael Eaton, who was sentenced to 105 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Reagan Fondren, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence, bringing a sense of relief to the community.

The sentencing stems from a February 11, 2023, incident where Eaton, 41, was pulled over by the Union City Police Department for a window tint violation. During the stop, Eaton became involved in a confrontation with law enforcement officers, who eventually detained him and found him in possession of a loaded Charter Arms .38 special caliber revolver.

Eaton, a known felon with a history of violence, is prohibited from possessing firearms. His previous convictions include a 2000 sentence of 10 years of incarceration for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to resell it and an 8-year imprisonment sentence in 2010 for attempting to rob a Union City grocery store at gunpoint.

In January 2024, Eaton was indicted in the Western District of Tennessee for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pled guilty to the offense in August 2024. On December 30, 2024, United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson handed down the sentence, which includes three years of supervised release to follow.

This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making communities safer. The initiative brings together law enforcement and community members to foster trust and legitimacy.

The Union City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case, with Assistant United States Attorney Immanuel Chioco prosecuting on behalf of the government. Acting U.S. Attorney Fondren thanked Chioco and the law enforcement partners for their hard work in securing the conviction.

The public can learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office and follow them on social media at @WDTNNews on Facebook and X.

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