United States of America v. Raymond Antonio Lewis

Helena, Arkansas criminal defense lawyer represented the Dee ndant charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime and Felon in Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition.



On December 20, 2018, Officer John Buford responded to a report that shots

had been fired in the area of 32nd Street and Church Street in West Memphis,

Arkansas. As Officer Buford was driving down Church Street, he spotted a man and

woman walking together. Officer Buford testified that he believed that the man was

"carrying what appeared to be a rifle.” R. Doc. 134, at 21–22.



West Memphis Police Department policy requires officers to activate their

dash cam footage and body microphones when making arrests. The recording system

on the patrol car will automatically illuminate when an officer turns on the blue

emergency lights. Officer Buford did not turn on his lights but continued to approach

the individuals. Officer Buford testified that they "had just had at least three shooting

incidents within a 30-minute period, where one . . . resulted in a homicide.” Id. at

109. Officer Buford admitted that he "didn't follow the policy.” Id. at 113. Officer

Buford testified that he did not activate the blue lights to maintain a "tactical

advantage” and the "element of surprise” and to avoid the suspects fleeing. Id. at

108.



As Officer Buford's patrol vehicle approached the individuals, the man

quickly veered toward a ditch that ran perpendicular to Church Street. The woman

continued to walk down the street. After observing this, Officer Buford ordered the

man to stop, drew his weapon, and requested backup. Officer Buford testified that

he saw "the rifle . . . laying on the ground next to a silver handgun.” Id. at 24. Officer

Buford exited his vehicle, ordered the man to the ground, and handcuffed him.



Officer Buford then secured the firearms and waited for the other officers to

arrive. Officer Buford identified the man as Raymond Lewis based on his driver's

license. After radioing in Lewis's identification, Officer Buford discovered Lewis

had a previous felony conviction and was an "active supervision parolee with a

search waiver on file.” Id. at 30. At that point, Officer Buford arrested Lewis for

being a felon in possession of a firearm. Officer Buford searched Lewis's person.

He discovered a prescription pill bottle containing suspected ecstasy pills, which

were later determined to be methamphetamine. Lewis also had a bag "contain[ing]

various loose ammunition.”

Defendant sentenced to 120 months BOP on Count 1s; 156 months BOP on Count 2s to run concurrently, for a total sentence of 156 months BOP; three years supervised release on each count to run concurrently; $200 special assessment.



Affirmed