February 19, 2015

Jury Finds Former Soldier Guilty of Attempted Murder of Four Soldiers at the Millington National Guard Armory

MEMPHIS, TN—A Cordova man was found guilty in federal district court of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily injury, and discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III; Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, A. Todd McCall; and Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Michael C. Cote.

Amos Patton, 43, of Cordova, TN, was found guilty after a six-day trial by a federal jury in the Western District of Tennessee of 4 counts of assault with intent to commit murder in the special territorial jurisdiction of the United States, 4 counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily injury in the special territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and one count of discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

“The jury’s verdict holds Amos Patton accountable for his acts of violence committed upon his fellow soldiers,” said U.S. Attorney Stanton. “Patton’s actions were destructive enough, but they had the real potential to result in an even greater tragedy.”

According to the government’s evidence, on October 24, 2013, Patton, a full-time member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, had been directed by his commanders to come to the National Guard Armory, located at 5650 Attu, Millington, TN. During this meeting, Patton was notified that he was being relieved of duty, recommended for reduction in rank, and recommended for separation from the active guard reserve because of misconduct.

Following the meeting, Patton was directed to return government equipment believed to be in his government vehicle. When he returned from the car, Patton had in his possession a “fanny pack.” The fanny pack contained a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun and fifty extra rounds of ammunition. When Patton attempted to pull the handgun from the pack, one of the Tennessee Army National Guardsmen yelled a warning.

At that point, a Command Sergeant Major and a Major attempted to subdue Patton. Patton was able to fire his weapon six times, and rounds wounded three Tennessee Army National Guard personnel in the room. Patton ran from the building, followed by the Command Sergeant Major, who caught Patton, and subdued him with assistance of other soldiers. They held him until the Millington Police Department arrived and took Patton into custody.

U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes, who presided over the trial, set sentencing for May 28, 2015.

In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Stanton, Special Agent in Charge McCall, and Special Agent Cote commended the work of the FBI and the NCIS. Finally, they commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Godwin and Mark Erskine and FBI Special Agent Matthew Ross, who investigated and prosecuted the case.