Federal Jury Convicts Erwin Man on Firearms Charges
Darrell Lynn Tipton Was the Target of Extensive Manhunt in 2005

GREENEVILLE, TN—Following a two-day trial in United States District Court, Greeneville, Tennessee, today a jury convicted Darrell Lynn Tipton of Erwin, Tennessee, of one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon and one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

Sentencing is set for September 27, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in United States District Court in Greeneville, Tennessee. Tipton faces a sentence of a minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment up to a maximum term of life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The jury convicted Tipton after hearing testimony from Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department and Erwin Police Department officers who were involved in the apprehension of Tipton as they attempted to arrest him on a fugitive warrant. Detective Ronnie Adkins observed Tipton carrying a rifle from his mother’s home to a vehicle as he fled from officers. Tipton and a relative were apprehended after a short chase. Officers testified that upon arrest, the officers located a .22 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber rifle in the vehicle, along with .22 caliber ammunition in Tipton’s pocket and in a duffel bag. In addition, family members who saw Tipton with firearms before the officers arrived, also testified at the trial.

Sheriff Kent Harris, who led the investigation said: “Our county will rest easier knowing that we have eliminated the possibility of a violent man returning and causing fear among our citizens.”

Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Darrell Lynn Tipton included the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department, Erwin Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Gregory Bowman and Robert M. Reeves represented the United States at trial.