Federal Jury Finds Armed Career Criminal Guilty of Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Jackson, TN – A federal jury delivered a guilty verdict recently in the case of a Hardin County man facing drug and firearm charges. Patrick Dillon Butler, 30, now faces a minimum of 20 years in federal prison. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz announced the conviction today.

After a 4-day jury trial in July 2023, Butler was convicted of possession of firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to information presented in court, on approximately December 11, 2021, deputies with the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department attempted to arrest Butler on an active arrest warrant. Butler refused to stop for the deputies and then led them on a high-speed chase that ended with him crashing into a deputy’s cruiser. Upon his capture, Butler was in possession of 2.26 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, 14 unused baggies, $353 in cash, and had a .38 pistol in the glove box of the car he was driving.

In 2017 and 2018, Butler was found guilty of felony charges of aggravated assault and possession of .5 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and is prohibited from possessing firearms. As a result of his felony convictions, Butler will face sentencing as an Armed Career Criminal under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

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

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