MEMPHIS, TN – Turante Nunn, 33, is staring down a long stretch in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of illegally possessing a firearm. The conviction comes with a minimum 15-year sentence, potentially extending to life, due to Nunn’s status as an Armed Career Criminal. Interim United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr. announced the verdict today, a win for local law enforcement battling escalating gun violence.
The case unfolded in January 2024 when Memphis police spotted a stolen 2009 Pontiac G6 with a shattered rear window parked outside a BP gas station. Surveillance footage inside the store became critical. Officers observed Nunn exiting the stolen vehicle and entering the BP. As officers moved in, the video clearly showed Nunn discarding a handgun onto a store shelf. A search revealed a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm caliber pistol precisely where Nunn had dumped it.
The two-day federal trial wasn’t just about the gun. Prosecutors successfully argued that Nunn qualified as an Armed Career Criminal, presenting evidence of three separate prior felony convictions. This designation dramatically increases the potential penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Forget parole; the federal system doesn’t offer it. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a long, hard sentence.
“This conviction underscores our commitment to taking violent offenders off the streets,” stated a source close to the investigation who wished to remain anonymous. “Nunn’s actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the law and a willingness to endanger the community. The fact that he was already a convicted felon and chose to possess another firearm speaks volumes.”
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and the Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) task force. PSN, a federal program, aims to reduce violent crime by uniting all levels of law enforcement and community organizations. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN with a focus on trust, community support, and strategic enforcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Jermal Blanchard led the prosecution. Nunn’s sentencing date has not yet been set. For media inquiries, contact USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or X at @WDTNNews for further updates on this and other cases. This case sends a clear message: illegally possessing a firearm, especially with a prior criminal history, will be met with the full force of federal law.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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