PHOENIX (LAWFUEL) – Rayford Terrell, 42, of Phoenix, was sentenced on Monday, December 8, 2008 by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone to 188 months in federal prison. Terrell was found guilty by a federal jury on November 28, 2007 of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Judge Martone enhanced Terrell’s sentence to 188 months by finding he was an Armed Career Criminal.
Terrell is one of several individuals prosecuted under Operation Suppressor, part of the District of Arizona’s Project Safe Neighborhoods illegal firearms enforcement program. In this joint investigation, detectives from the Phoenix Police Department and Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified and investigated subjects engaged in illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking in Central Phoenix.
In June 2005, Terrell and co-defendant Cindy O’Quinn were arrested and charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm. O’Quinn was found guilty by a federal jury on May 27, 2007. Due to the crime and an extensive criminal record, she was sentenced to over seven years in prison on December 18, 2007.
This latest conviction is Terrell’s ninth felony. His prior convictions include Assault, Burglary and Sexual Assault. Judge Martone determined Terrell was an Armed Career Criminal: an individual who illegally possesses a firearm and also has at least three prior convictions for violent felonies. Congress enacted the Armed Career Criminal Act to remove from society those hard core recidivists, habitual offenders and “three-time losers” who have repeatedly commit dangerous crimes and continue to possess firearms. Utilizing the Armed Career Criminal Act, Judge Martone enhanced Terrell sentence to 188 months.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Michael Lee, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-05-923-PHX-FJM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2008-327(Terrell)
