South Nashville Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison

NASHVILLE Tenn., January 18, 2017 – Reco Allen Jones a/k/a Bon Jovi, 29, of Nashville, Tenn., was sentenced yesterday to 16 years in prison, to be followed by three years supervised release, for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Jones pleaded guilty to these charges on September 27, 2016.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue our partnership with the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department and the ATF, as we direct resources aimed at reducing crime and improving the quality of life for our citizens who live in public housing areas,” said U.S. Attorney David Rivera. “The residents of these communities deserve to live in a place where it is safe for their children and we will continue to prosecute those who choose to commit federal crimes and endanger residents in and around these communities.”

According to the statement of facts, on May 11, 2015, officers with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department were working in the J.C. Napier public housing development, near Cameron Middle School, and attempted to stop the driver of an Acura SUV for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle fled from the officers and reached speeds near 100 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic. While being pursued, the driver threw a bag of cocaine out of the vehicle and then pulled into a parking lot, and discarded about $1,570 in cash. The driver was subsequently identified as Reco Jones and arrested.

Jones’ prior criminal record qualified him as a career offender under federal law. His prior convictions included two convictions for evading arrest by motor vehicle, as well as multiple felony drug convictions, and a conviction for aggravated assault. Jones was on state probation for his aggravated assault conviction as well as for a felony drug sale at the time he committed this crime.

Federal law includes substantial penalty enhancements for committing drug felonies in specially protected areas such as near schools, playgrounds, and public housing developments.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Gang Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sunny A.M. Koshy and Henry Leventis.