Former Owner/President of Tennessee Guns International, INC. Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The following press release was published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on March 27, 2014. It is reproduced in full below.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - On Thursday, Mar. 27, 2014, Charles M. Jones III, former owner and president of Tennessee Guns International, Inc. (TGI), was sentenced in U.S. District Court to serve one year of probation and 100 hours of community service as a result of his felony conviction for importation of goods (firearms) by false statements. Jones pleaded guilty to the offense pursuant to a plea agreement last December. The plea agreement also resulted in TGI forfeiting and relinquishing several thousand firearms and firearms parts that were seized from TGI. Significantly, Jones can no longer possess a firearm, since he is now a convicted felon. “It is extremely important that firearms dealers abide by the law in conducting their business, in order to prevent those who are not authorized under law to possess firearms, from obtaining guns and weapons," said U.S. Attorney William C. Killian. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Fulton stated, “This conviction and sentence is a reminder that smuggling firearms by a Federal Firearms Licensee into the U.S. is a serious matter and will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted." “Firearms regulations exist to ensure weapons crossing international borders are properly accounted for to preserve public safety," said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer Jr. “This case shows the significant consequences awaiting individuals who attempt to illegally import weapons and who make false claims while attempting to do so." Parmer oversees a five-state area of operations to include Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The conviction was the result of a long-term investigation conducted by ATF, and HSI. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Martin, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeff Theodore and Frank Dale, represented the United States.

Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives