Three Nashville men, each with previous convictions for violent crimes or drug felonies, face federal charges related to firearms and drugs. The Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Robert E. McGuire, announced the charges against Carlos J. Rodriguez, George Charles Carter III, and Keontis Jenkins.
Rodriguez was charged on January 24 with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Carter faced similar charges on the same day but also included possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Jenkins was charged on January 27 with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
"We are ramping up our efforts to protect our community from those who would illegally possess guns and those who would sell drugs," stated McGuire. "These three arrests in the span of just a few days should put violent criminals on notice that if you break the law, we will hold you accountable in federal court—especially if you possess dangerous drugs like fentanyl and dangerous items like Glock switches."
The investigation into Rodriguez began on September 25, 2024, when law enforcement observed him engaging in suspected narcotics transactions outside a bar on Charlotte Pike in Nashville. Upon his arrest for driving with an expired license earlier this month, he admitted to possessing ammunition despite knowing his status as a convicted felon prohibited him from doing so.
Carter's case emerged from an armed robbery attempt resulting in gunfire captured by security cameras near the J.C. Napier Housing Development on January 19, 2025. Following an attempted traffic stop where Carter fled police at high speeds before being apprehended, detectives found evidence linking him to narcotics distribution.
Jenkins was arrested by Metropolitan Nashville Police Detectives on January 14 for outstanding warrants related to attempted homicide. A search revealed illegal substances and firearms equipped with machine gun conversion devices at his residence.
These cases are under investigation by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), while Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting them.
A complaint is merely an accusation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
