Memphis man sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A Memphis man was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

According to information presented in court, on September 16, 2022, Memphis Police observed Carl Turner, 26, driving a white 2020 Kia Optima matching the description of a vehicle that had been reported stolen the night before.

The officers attempted to arrest him, but Turner reversed and headed toward the officers' squad cars, hitting one and disabling it in the process. Turner then led officers on a two-mile, high-speed car chase through a residential neighborhood.

After Turner crashed the Kia into a utility pole, he fled on foot from officers and threw away a brown backpack during the chase. Officers arrested Turner and recovered the brown backpack, which contained a .380 caliber Bersa automatic pistol.

On November 20, 2023, Turner pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Turner to 12.5 years in federal prison on March 14. The Shelby County Prosecutor's Office imposed a consecutive five-year sentence, totaling 17.5 years between state and federal charges.

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