Memphis Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Possession of Methamphetamine and a Firearm in a Stolen Vehicle Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Tennessee Dateline: Memphis, Tennessee Date: 20 May 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime Topic: Dodge Charger

Memphis, TN – A federal judge recently sentenced a Memphis man to 12 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and methamphetamine. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today. 

According to information presented in court, on October 27, 2022, Memphis Police Department observed a black Dodge Charger driven by Jeffery Cervero, 27, in the parking lot of the Boulevard Apartments in the Hickory Hill community. The Dodge Charger was stolen, and it was bearing tags registered to a second vehicle previously stolen from the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Officers pulled in front of the Dodge Charger, but Cervero sped away. He was quickly disabled after he struck a MPD vehicle and a large rock.  

Cervero ran away from the vehicle but was caught after a brief foot pursuit. In Cervero’s pants, officers located a Glock 9mm pistol equipped with a Glock switch. In the vehicle, officers recovered a backpack with 46 grams of actual methamphetamine, digital scales, and assorted pills. MPD also located $14,432 in cash, approximately 4.3 kg of vacuum sealed marijuana, a Glock 9mm, a Glock .45, a 5.56 caliber rifle, 5 iPhones, and Cervero’s ID in the stolen vehicle. One of the passengers was also apprehended attempting to run from the disabled vehicle. 

On May 15, 2024, Cervero pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, and possession of a Glock 9mm in furtherance of drug trafficking and was sentenced. United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Cervero to 144 months incarceration with the Bureau of Prisons, followed by 4 years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives - Memphis Office and the Memphis Police Department.  The Drug Enforcement Administration - Memphis Office and Nashville Laboratory, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and ATF Oklahoma provided additional assistance.

United States Attorney Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Gregory D. Allen, who prosecuted this case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case.

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Updated May 20, 2024