Date: 12-18-2020

Case Style:

Case Number: 2:20-cr-20105-SHL

Judge: Sheryl H. Lipman

Court: United States District Court for the Wester District of Tennessee (Shelby County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office, Memphis, Tennessee

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description: Memphis, TN - Criminal Defense Lawyer aggravated assault of a federal employee and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence

According to information presented in court, on September 4, 2019, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Jones was in the process of committing the crime of burglary of a motor vehicle. Meanwhile, the victim, a U.S. Postal Service employee, was preparing to take First Class mail from the Jet Cove Annex to the Memphis Processing & Distribution Center in downtown Memphis. While loading the mail into his USPS staff vehicle, the victim, observed someone moving around inside his personal vehicle parked approximately 50 yards away in the employee parking lot at the Memphis Priority Mail Annex. The victim drove the staff vehicle near his pickup truck and saw the defendant exit his pickup truck.

The defendant shot multiple times at the victim as he escaped in his postal vehicle. As the victim drove away, the defendant followed him in a Nissan Sentra and continued to shoot. During the course of the investigation, United States Postal Inspectors determined two bullets struck the hood and several other locations on the postal vehicle. Law enforcement located two 9MM Luger shell casings from the shooting scene. The suspect, along with a female accomplice, fled the scene in a blue Nissan Sentra. Postal Inspectors later identified Bernard M. Jones as the shooter. Jones, a convicted felon, is also a member of the Gangsters Disciples Street Gang, and as a result of his prior felony conviction history, is prohibited by federal law from possession of firearms or ammunition.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2021, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl Lipman. For the aggravated assault offense, Jones faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison followed by three years supervised release and a fine of $250,000. For the firearm offense, he faces a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment; a $ 250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This office takes very seriously our duty to protect the safety of United States Postal Service employees and the sanctity and security of the U.S. Mail. This case reflects our commitment to hold offenders accountable for brazen and disturbing acts of violence that endanger and victimize federal employees. We commend the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS in this case."

"Protecting the safety of our USPS employees is the United States Postal Inspection Service’s most important mission. Postal Inspectors will stop at nothing to identify those responsible for assaulting postal employees and will bring them to justice," said Tommy D. Coke, U.S. Postal Inspector In Charge of the Atlanta Division.

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

18:111(a)(1) and 111(b) ASSAULTING/RESISTING/IMPEDING OFFICERS/EMPLOYEES
(1)
18:922(g)(1) UNLAWFUL TRANSPORT OF FIREARMS, ETC.
(2)
18:924(c)(1)(A)(iii) VIOLENT CRIME/DRUGS/MACHINE GUN
(3)
18:1114(3) PROTECTION OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF U.S.
(4-5)

Outcome: 12/18/2020 37 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Sheryl H. Lipman as to Bernard Jones: Change of Plea Hearing as to Bernard Jones was held on 12/18/2020. Wendy Cornejo appeared for the Government. M. C. Jermann-Robinson appeared for the defense. Defendant in custody and present in court. Defendant sworn. Written plea agreement filed in open court. Plea colloquy/Basis in fact by Government. Guilty Plea entered by Bernard Jones as to counts 1 and 3 of the indictment. Guilty plea accepted. Counts 2, 4 and 5 of the indictment to be dismissed at sentencing upon motion of the government. Sentencing Hearing set for Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 1:30 PM in Courtroom 2 - Memphis before Judge Sheryl H. Lipman. Defendant remanded to the custody of the USM. (Court Reporter: Candace Covey) (smm) (Entered: 12/18/2020)
12/18/2020 38 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Bernard Jones. (smm) (Entered: 12/18/2020)
12/18/2020 39 ORDER ON CHANGE OF as to Bernard Jones. SENTENCING in this case is set WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 at 1:30 P.M. in Courtroom No. 2, on the 11th floor before Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.

Pursuant to Local Criminal Rule 32.1, the Presentence Report prepared by the United States Probation Officer shall be provided to the parties at least thirty-five (35) days prior to sentencing. Counsel for the parties shall submit any objections or requests in writing to the Probation Officer no more than fourteen (14) days after receiving the report and attempt to resolve any issues involving the report. No more than twenty-one (21) days after receiving the report, the parties shall file their position papers on sentencing with the Court. At least 7 days before the sentencing, the Probation Officer shall submit the final report to the Court and the parties.. Signed by Judge Sheryl H. Lipman on 12/18/2020. (smm) (Entered: 12/18/2020)
12/18/2020 40 SETTING LETTER as to Bernard Jones: Sentencing Hearing has been set for Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 1:30 PM in Courtroom 2 - Memphis before Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.

This will be an in-court hearing. There will be limited seating for the public. The parties are instructed to notify the case manager if this will be an evidentiary hearing and if any other persons will attend other than the parties in this case. All persons entering a court facility must follow all rules adopted for the federal building. Participants may not enter the building, or they may be removed from the building, if they fail to comply with federal building rules and screening protocols. Everyone in the Courtroom will be required to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose. (smm) (Entered: 12/18/2020)

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