Selling unregistered suppressors in Blount Co to ATF agent

[Static_USMC]

KNOXVILLE — A federal judge Thursday sentenced a Rockford man to serve 18 months in prison for possession of unregistered weapons and selling a firearm to a convicted felon.

 

From Blount today

 

 

Waldrip pleaded guilty in September of last year to knowingly possessing two silencers without serial numbers and not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. He also pleaded guilty to knowingly selling a firearm to a convicted felon.

According to the plea agreement, Waldrip began making and selling firearms silencers beginning in January last year. The following month, he sold a silencer to an undercover agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Also, Waldrip sold a firearm to an individual working on behalf of law enforcement who asked if he could leave the gun at Waldrip’s house stating, “being a convicted felon, I’m not trying to have them pop up, you know, home inspection . . . .”

Waldrip agreed to this request even after being informed by the individual that he was a convicted felon. The firearm was retrieved by the individual from Waldrip’s house in March of last year.

Meanwhile, Charles M. Jones III, former owner and president of Tennessee Guns International, Inc. (TGI), was also sentenced in U.S. District Court to serve one year of probation and 100 hours of community service as a result of his felony conviction for importation of goods (firearms) by false statements.

Jones pleaded guilty to the offense pursuant to a plea agreement last December. The plea agreement also resulted in TGI forfeiting and relinquishing several thousand firearms and firearms parts that were seized from TGI. Significantly, Jones can no longer possess a firearm, since he is now a convicted felon.

“It is extremely important that firearms dealers abide by the law in conducting their business, in order to prevent those who are not authorized under law to possess firearms, from obtaining guns and weapons,” said U.S. Attorney William C. Killian in a press release.

“This conviction and sentence is a reminder that smuggling firearms by a Federal Firearms Licensee into the U.S. is a serious matter and will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Fulton.

 

[Oh Shoot]

....

Meanwhile, Charles M. Jones III, former owner and president of Tennessee Guns International, Inc. (TGI), was also sentenced in U.S. District Court to serve one year of probation and 100 hours of community service as a result of his felony conviction for importation of goods (firearms) by false statements.

 

He also got sued for millions regarding supposed Ponzi scheme method of raising the money to buy all the Eastern Bloc arms in the first place, dunno if that has settled out yet or not.

 

- OS

Edited March 31, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[Static_USMC]

Was TGI the guy out in Louisville? Kind of a husky fella that always had a couple of suppressors at the gunshows?

[Oh Shoot]

Was TGI the guy out in Louisville? Kind of a husky fella that always had a couple of suppressors at the gunshows?

 

Yeah, Louisville, but I didn't know who he was by sight.

 

- OS

[Smith]

Wasn't TGI was out of Knoxville?

 

I wonder if the ATF will charge their own people with the same crimes, even thought these guys committed lesser felonies. ;)

[Garufa]

Wasn't TGI was out of Knoxville?

 

Louisville actually.  Just across the river in Blount County.

 

Shame all the troubles they've had.  They were the only importer who knew how to tastefully put the required marks on guns.

 

I know they have/had a physical building in Louisville but their imports are marked TGI INC KNOX TN (or something like that).  I believe that also have a PO box in Knoxville.  It's hard to keep up with many of these businesses, especially the Knoxville ones...there are several that most (or many) have heard of that are located here.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Garufa

[DaveTN]

The first case would have been a good test case for the Tennessee Firearms Freedom act on the suppressors. Of course selling a firearm to a convicted felon hosed him beyond repair.

[Static_USMC]

The first case would have been a good test case for the Tennessee Firearms Freedom act on the suppressors. Of course selling a firearm to a convicted felon hosed him beyond repair.

I was thinking same thing. That's probably why he only got 18 months instead of 10 years? ATF "you agree not test suppressor charges and things will be easier on you"?
Besides I don't think they were marked "made in Tennessee" Edited March 31, 2014 by Static_USMC

[frankmako]

what a dumb ass. 

[A.J. Holst]

More ammo for the no gunz crowd...I can hear the arguement already, "if licensed dealers are breaking the law, my God, how many private citizens are doing the same with those off the books face to face sales..."

[z90HD]

TGI is still in business. I know a girl who works there. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[redfsr]

I was thinking same thing. That's probably why he only got 18 months instead of 10 years? ATF "you agree not test suppressor charges and things will be easier on you"?
Besides I don't think they were marked "made in Tennessee"

Federal sentences are calculated by a point system based on the defendant's prior criminal history.  That sentence makes sense for someone that probably didn't have much if any at all of a criminal history.  If you plea guilty like he did, you get a break for accepting responsibility and not forcing the courts to prepare and execute a trial.  The 18 month sentence was also probably part of the plea agreement.