Federal Jury Finds Career Offender Guilty of Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Memphis, TN – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict recently in the case of a career offender accused of firearm and drug offenses. Charlie Gibson, 25, of Memphis is facing more than twenty years in federal prison for marijuana possession with intent to distribute, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and having a firearm during commission of a crime. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the verdict today.

According to court documents, in December 2021, security guards at an area apartment complex stopped Gibson for loitering. Upon detaining Gibson and searching his belongings, the guards found a Glock .40 caliber pistol, approximately 250 grams of marijuana, and three digital scales. The guards called Memphis police, who came and arrested Gibson.

In a second incident, Shelby County deputies responded to an assault call in July 2022 at Durhamshire Cove and were told that the suspect was driving a gray Nissan. Deputies found the vehicle and saw a man, later identified as Gibson, quickly get into the vehicle. A deputy stood in front of the car and ordered Gibson to stop, but the suspect refused and drove forward, hitting the deputy, who rolled onto the hood of the vehicle. The deputy drew his service weapon and again ordered the suspect to stop, but Gibson instead revved the engine. The deputy fired several rounds through the windshield, striking Gibson, who crashed shortly thereafter. Deputies at the scene rendered lifesaving aid to Gibson. Law enforcement later found a Glock .40 caliber pistol on the driver’s side floorboard of Gibson’s vehicle.

Charges from both incidents were combined into a superseding indictment in November 2023.

After a two-day trial, on February 13, federal jurors found Charlie Gibson guilty of two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, one count of marijuana possession with intent to distribute, and one count of possession of a firearm during commission of a dangerous felony.

As a result of his felony convictions, Gibson will face sentencing as an career criminal. 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.

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