Texarkana Man Sentenced To Over 12 Years In Federal Prison For Firearms Violation

Texarkana, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Keith Morgan Block, age 51, of Texarkana, Texas was sentenced yesterday to 155 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey, United States District Judge, presided over the sentencing hearing in Texarkana.

According to court records, in April 2016, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in Texarkana for failing to use a turn signal. The vehicle contained two occupants, a driver and a passenger, later identified as Block. The driver of the vehicle was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant. An officer then attempted to search Block for officer safety purposes, but Block fled on foot. During the chase, a firearm fell from Block’s clothing. Block was apprehended after a brief chase in the parking lot and he was taken into custody.

A federal grand jury indicted Block in April 2016, and he pled guilty in July 2017.

This case was investigated by Texarkana Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.