Christopher Walker, a 38-year-old Memphis resident, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison after being found guilty of firearm and drug trafficking offenses. The sentencing was announced by D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Court documents reveal that in October 2024, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted an undercover operation focused on the sale of Machinegun Conversion Devices (MCDs) and illegal drugs. During this operation, Walker sold a confidential informant both marijuana and a firearm while working as a security guard at a local motel. In December 2024, he sold another firearm equipped with an MCD and additional marijuana to the same informant. Walker has previous felony convictions for violent crimes.
Following a three-day jury trial held on October 2, 2025, Walker was convicted on multiple counts: two counts of being a 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. imposed the sentence of 421 months in federal prison. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant stated: “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.”
The ATF led the investigation into this case. Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jermal Blanchard and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clinton Crosier.
For further information or updates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, media inquiries can be directed to USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov.
