This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Kentucky, Western), published as received.

Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on December 5, 2023, charging a Louisville man with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.   

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

According to the indictment, Ryan Akeem Turner, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On September 28, 2023, Turner possessed a Ruger, model LC9S, 9-millimeter caliber pistol.

Turner was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.

On February 22, 2021, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (heroin), convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and possession of a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (heroin). 

On February 22, 2021, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of complicity to receiving stolen property under $10,000. 

On October 13, 2015, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of 3 counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (more than 2 grams of heroin) and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. 

On October 15, 2015, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (heroin). 

On April 6, 2011, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (cocaine). 

On December 18, 2008, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (cocaine), tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (cocaine). 

On December 18, 2008, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (cocaine) and tampering with physical evidence. 

On December 18, 2008, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Turner was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, in the first degree, first offense (cocaine).

The defendant made his initial court appearance yesterday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. He remains in custody pending trial. If convicted, Turner faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

There is no parole in the federal system.   

This case is being investigated by the ATF and the LMPD. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dahl is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###