Convicted Felon Sentenced to Over 17 Years for Firearm and Drug Crimes

Memphis, TN – A federal judge recently sentenced Desmond Woods, 43, of Memphis to over 17 years in federal prison for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. 

According to court documents, in October 2020, Woods was stopped by security guards at a local apartment complex for loitering. Upon detaining Woods and searching his belongings, the guards found a Glock 22 caliber pistol, approximately 17 grams of cocaine, and a digital scale. Woods was arrested by the Memphis Police Department (MPD).

In a second incident, in July 2021, security guards at a different apartment complex attempted to contact Woods, again, for loitering.  After a brief chase, the guards detained Woods, searched him, and found an API .45 caliber pistol, a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol, approximately 61 grams of cocaine, and a digital scale.

In a third incident, Memphis Police officers responded in June 2022 to an emergency call involving Woods and found him in possession of a Del-ton 5.56 caliber rifle loaded with 50 rounds. Woods was a convicted felon at the time of the incident.

Woods pled guilty in March 2024 to three counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of cocaine possession with intent to distribute, and two counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a dangerous felony. 

United States Chief District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes sentenced Woods on July 18, 2024, to a total of 207 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 

This case was investigated for federal prosecution by the PSN Gun Task Force and the Memphis Police Department.

United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jermal Blanchard, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.  

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 For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.