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United States of America v. Christopher Walker
Date: 01-23-2026
Case Number: 24-cr-20217
Judge: Thomas Fowlkes, Jr
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee (Shelby County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Memphis
Defendant's Attorney: Barry McWhirter
Description:
Memphis, Tennessee, criminal defense lawyer Barry McWhirter represented the Defendant charged with unlawful transportation of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, and trafficking in marijuana.
In October 2024, ATF agents conducted an undercover operation targeting the sale of Machinegun Conversion Devices (MCD) and illegal drugs. Christopher Walker, 38, of Memphis, sold a confidential informant 98 grams of marijuana and a firearm while on duty as a security guard at a local motel. A second buy was conducted in December 2024 where Walker sold a firearm with an attached MCD and 103 grams of marijuana. Walker has prior felony convictions for violent offenses.
After a 3-day jury trial on October 2, 2025, Walker was found guilty of two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, carrying a machine gun during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
On January 21, 2026, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. sentenced Walker to 421 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Firearms equipped with MCDs are extremely dangerous devices that can cause multiple injuries or fatalities in less than one second. When paired with the inherently dangerous activity of drug trafficking, they demonstrate an unacceptable risk to public safety that justifies a long prison sentence to remove this violent felon from our community.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jermal Blanchard and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clinton Crosier prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
In October 2024, ATF agents conducted an undercover operation targeting the sale of Machinegun Conversion Devices (MCD) and illegal drugs. Christopher Walker, 38, of Memphis, sold a confidential informant 98 grams of marijuana and a firearm while on duty as a security guard at a local motel. A second buy was conducted in December 2024 where Walker sold a firearm with an attached MCD and 103 grams of marijuana. Walker has prior felony convictions for violent offenses.
After a 3-day jury trial on October 2, 2025, Walker was found guilty of two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, carrying a machine gun during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
On January 21, 2026, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. sentenced Walker to 421 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Firearms equipped with MCDs are extremely dangerous devices that can cause multiple injuries or fatalities in less than one second. When paired with the inherently dangerous activity of drug trafficking, they demonstrate an unacceptable risk to public safety that justifies a long prison sentence to remove this violent felon from our community.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jermal Blanchard and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clinton Crosier prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Outcome:
The defendant was sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment .
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Christopher Walker?
The outcome was: The defendant was sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment .
Which court heard United States of America v. Christopher Walker?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee (Shelby County), TN. The presiding judge was Thomas Fowlkes, Jr.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Christopher Walker?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Memphis. Defendant's attorney: Barry McWhirter.
When was United States of America v. Christopher Walker decided?
This case was decided on January 23, 2026.