MEMPHIS, TN—A Cordova man convicted of assault with intent to murder four soldiers at the Millington Army National Guard Recruiting Center has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison.

On October 24, 2013, Amos Patton, 43, was directed by his commanders to come to the Tennessee Army National Guard Recruiting Center at 5650 Attu, Millington, TN. During the 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” containing a loaded 9mm semiautomatic Glock pistol and 50 additional rounds of ammunition. When Patton attempted to pull the pistol from the pack, one of the Tennessee Army National Guardsmen yelled a warning.

At that point, Command Sergeant Major Christopher Crawford and Major William Crawford attempted to subdue Patton. Patton managed to fire his pistol six times, striking three Tennessee Army National Guard personnel in his chain of command. These individuals included Major William Crawford, Sergeant Major Ricky McKenzie, and Lieutenant Colonel Hunter Belcher. Although Patton pointed the pistol at Command Sergeant Major Christopher Crawford, no rounds struck him. Patton then ran from the building, but was later caught by several soldiers and held until Millington Police Department officers arrived and arrested him.

Today, U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes sentenced Patton to a total of 50 years: 40 years for four counts of assault with intent to commit murder and 10 years for discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence. He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release post-incarceration.

“Patton’s 50-year prison sentence is a stark example of the consequences that come from committing violent crimes in the jurisdiction of the federal government,” said U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton III. “He will now have decades in prison to regret the unspeakable acts he perpetrated upon his fellow soldiers.”

This case was investigated by the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Godwin and Mark Erskine represented the government in the case.