Two Men Indicted for Theft of 366 Firearms from UPS Facility

Memphis, TN – On October 11, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted two men for firearms theft from a UPS facility. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictment today.

According to the charging instrument, on September 30, 2018, Roland Jackson, 18, of Chicago, Illinois and Taveyan Turnbo did knowingly transport and ship stolen firearms from Tennessee to Illinois, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922 (i).

On September 26, Roland Jackson and a person unknown in Illinois purchased a U-Haul van with stolen identification. On September 29, 2018, Roland Jackson and Taveyan Turnbo traveled to Tennessee from Illinois. The next day, September 30, 2018, the defendants stole 366 firearms from a shipping facility in Tennessee and transported the stolen firearms in the rented U-Haul van to Illinois.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Cargo theft from shipping facilities that interrupts and threatens interstate commerce must be dealt with swiftly and certainly. Cargo theft of hundreds of firearms is especially dangerous, and threatens the lives of countless citizens. We are thankful that all of the stolen firearms were recovered due to the quick action and outstanding investigation by local and federal law enforcement, and we appreciate the coordination and partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois in this disturbing case. Interstate trafficking of stolen firearms will be met with aggressive prosecution in order to protect public safety."

Count 1 charges Roland Jackson and Taveyan Turnbo knowingly conspired and agreed with each other and with other unknown individuals to transport and ship stolen firearms from Tennessee to Illinois, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

Count 2 charges Roland Jackson and Taveyan Turnbo knowingly transported and shipped interstate commerce from Tennessee to Illinois, specifically, 322 different Ruger .380 caliber pistols and 44 different Ruger .22 LR caliber pistols, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922 (i) and 2.

Count 3 charges Roland Jackson and Taveyan Turnbo knowingly possessed stolen firearms, specifically, 322 different Ruger .380 caliber pistols and 44 different Ruger .22 LR caliber pistols, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

Count 4 charges Roland Jackson as a convicted felon knowingly possessed stolen firearms affecting interstate commerce, specifically, 322 different Ruger .380 caliber pistols and 44 different Ruger .22 LR caliber pistols, violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922 (g)(1).

If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Both defendants have been taken into custody, and are being detained pending trial.

This case was investigated by the ATF; FBI Cargo Theft Task Force; Midlothian, Illinois Police Department and the Memphis Police Department, during which all of the stolen firearms were safely and successfully recovered.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.