Security News in Brief: McNairy Man Sentenced to 15 Years as an Armed Career Criminal

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Jackson, TN– Lamon Terrill Massengill, 50, of Selmer, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense cocaine base.  Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today. 

According to information presented in court, on October 7, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Oak Street in Selmer, Tennessee. Officers recovered over 3 grams of crack cocaine, hydrocodone pills, marijuana, and two digital scales in Massengill’s bedroom. On a chair in the bedroom, officers found an H&K 22 LR pistol loaded with 29 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, officers found a Revelation 22LR bolt action rifle with a round in the chamber.  

Massengill gave a Mirandized statement in which he admitted to selling cocaine since March of 2020. He would purchase one ounce of crack cocaine two or three times, and one-half-ounce of crack cocaine on at least 20 to 30 occasions, then sell the crack cocaine. Massengill admitted to being a convicted felon who could not legally possess firearms, and that the firearms in his home were for his protection.  

Massengill had previously been convicted of five aggravated burglaries, two aggravated assaults, and one burglary.  As a result of his prior felony convictions, he is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.  

On December 13, 2021, Massengill pled guilty. 

On March 15, 2022, United States Chief District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Massengill to the mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months in federal prison as an Armed Career Criminal, with three years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was investigated by the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

Assistant United States Attorney Christie Hopper prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

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