Rocky and Leon Houston for Federal Firearms Violations

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Friday, January 11, 2013, brothers Rocky Houston, 52, and Leon Houston, 54, both of Ten Mile, Tenn., were arrested on federal firearms charges. Agents and officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Roane County Sheriff’s Office, and other local law enforcement agencies executed arrest and search warrants at the Houston family property located in Roane County, Tenn., announced William C. (Bill) Killian, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Carl Vasilko, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, and Jack Stockton, Sheriff of Roane County.

Rocky Houston has been charged with being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, and Leon Houston has been charged with possession of firearms while being an unlawful user of controlled substances. Upon conviction, each faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Both will appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Monday, January 14, 2013, for an Initial Appearance on the charges which have been lodged against them. Rocky Houston will appear at 10:30 a.m., and Leon Houston will appear at 3:00 p.m., before the Honorable Bruce Guyton, U.S. Magistrate Judge.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian expressed his appreciation to the agents of ATF and the officers from the Roane, Knox and Loudon County Sheriffs’ Offices for their participation in the successful execution of these warrants. "Our commitment of cooperation and support from our federal law enforcement agencies to our state and local colleagues is strong. It will remain so," said U.S. Attorney Killian.

Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.