Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm in Connection with a Drug Trafficking Offense
Memphis, TN – Alfonzo Mitchell, 48, has been sentenced to 106 months in federal prison for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on November 9, 2018, detectives from the Memphis Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Busby Avenue. On the top floor in the northwest bedroom, detectives recovered a baggie containing ammunition, a green box of ammunition, a black digital scale, a black magazine with ammunition, and a box of plastic bags. Also, in the same bedroom, detectives recovered more ammunition on top of a dresser, along with a green leafy substance in a plastic bag.
In the kitchen, detectives recovered 3 glass beakers commonly used in making crack cocaine, as well as 2 scales commonly used for weighing narcotics. Detectives also located a blue ‘La Choy’ jar container with a hidden compartment in the bottom which had a plastic bag containing several smaller plastic bags filled with a white powder consistent with cocaine.
In the downstairs living room, detectives recovered a brown bag filled with assorted ammunition, a box of plastic baggies, a plate with a razor and white powder residue, a black Samsung Galaxy Cellular Phone, a gray scale, a box of clear plastic baggies, and a clear jar with a green leafy substance inside. Detectives also recovered a Norinco 7.62X39 caliber rifle and four boxes of ammunition from a closet in the living room. The rifle was loaded with one live round in the chamber and several rounds in the magazine.
In the downstairs northwest bedroom, detectives recovered a hard-white substance in medicine bottles, a green leafy substance in approximately six mason jars, and a pill bottle containing 12 pills. The pills were identified as Oxycodone. Mitchell was unable to provide a prescription. In the same bedroom, detectives also recovered a Strum, Ruger and Co.9 mm caliber pistol. The serial number had been obliterated. Detectives recovered in the downstairs northwest bedroom, a "Planters Peanut" container filled with several plastic baggies filled with a green leafy substance. Alonzo Mitchell had $220 in cash on his person.
Alfonzo Mitchell gave a written statement claiming all narcotics and firearms in the house belonged to him. When asked why he possessed the firearms, the defendant stated, "You have to be ready to go to war if something jumps off." Mitchell also admitted that he sold the marijuana, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine from his residence on Busby Avenue.
On March 12, 2021, Mitchell pled guilty.
On June 9, 2021, U.S. District Judge Jon P. McCalla sentenced Mitchell to 106 months in federal prison to be followed by a three-year supervised release term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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