There are 10 article(s) tagged U.S. Attorney for the Western District:

• September 2024

  • Following Senate confirmation, Ritz resigns as U.S. Attorney

    Ritz’s resignation follows his confirmation by the U.S. Senate Monday, Sept. 16, as a federal appeals court judge.

    By Bill Dries September 18, 2024

• May 2024

  • Former MPD officer federally indicted for 2021 killing

    On Jan. 5, 2021, while Patric Ferguson while was on duty, he allegedly kidnapped and fatally shot Robert Howard in the head.

    By Julia Baker May 09, 2024

• February 2024

  • Federal jury convicts man who drove car into Shelby County Sheriff’s deputy

    In July 2022, Charlie Gibson drove a car into a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was responding to an assault call in Cordova.

    By Julia Baker February 21, 2024

• July 2023

  • ATF demonstrates danger of gun ‘switches’

    Semi-automatic guns, handguns with no modifications and AR-15s shoot one bullet with each pull. But handguns with a conversion switch fire like fully automatic weapons. 

    By Julia Baker July 18, 2023

  • West Tennessee U.S. Attorney’s office launches new hate crime unit

    “This new unit mobilizes every tool at our disposal to prosecuting hate-based crimes, civil rights violations, violent extremism, and related crimes,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Kevin Ritz.

    By Aarron Fleming July 11, 2023

• May 2023

  • U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuting 26 people for gun crimes with ‘switches’

    Switches, small steel or plastic squares that affix to a semi-automatic weapon and engage the firing pin, can make a gun capable of firing dozens of rounds of ammunition in seconds. 

    By Julia Baker May 22, 2023

• January 2023

  • U.S. Attorney Ritz urges patience amid Tyre Nichols investigation

    “Our federal investigation may take some time,” Ritz said. “These things often do. But we will be diligent, and we will make decisions based on the facts and the law.”

    Related stories:

    Tyre Nichols suffered ‘extensive bleeding,’ independent autopsy reports

    Memphis City Council looks at police reforms in wake of Tyre Nichols’ death

    By Julia Baker January 26, 2023

  • U.S. Attorney’s Office launches investigation into Tyre Nichols’ death

    The United States Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the FBI Memphis Field Office and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, has opened a civil rights investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols.

    By Julia Baker January 20, 2023

• September 2022

  • Kevin Ritz sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Western District of Tennessee

    President Joe Biden nominated Ritz for the position July 29, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him unanimously Sept. 22.

    By Julia Baker September 28, 2022

  • Kevin Ritz confirmed by U.S. Senate as new U.S. Attorney

    Ritz was recommended to the White House by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis and succeeds Joe Murphy, who had been acting U.S. Attorney since February 2021.

    By Bill Dries September 22, 2022