2 men indicted in firearm theft at UPS facility

Suspects face charges of transporting guns, too

Two men were indicted on Oct. 11 by a federal grand jury for firearm theft from a UPS facility said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for Western Tennessee on Tuesday.

Roland Jackson, 18, and Taveyan Turnbo, were indicted after allegedly stealing 366 weapons on Sept. 30 from a Memphis UPS facility while traveling in a U-Haul van to Illinois.

On Sept. 26, Jackson and an unknown person rented the U-Haul van with stolen identification, according to authorities. Three days later on Sept. 29, Jackson and Turnbo drove the van from Illinois to Tennessee.

On Oct. 2, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Chicago recovered the weapons inside of a U-Haul truck in Midlothian, Illinois.

Jackson was identified as the driver of the U-Haul, and Turnbo was identified as the passenger according to an affidavit.

Turnbo was arrested and told authorities he and Jackson already sold at least three of the stolen firearms for $400.

Police were searching for 24-year-old Roland Jackson of Chicago in connection with the crime since Sept. 30.

A news release from Dunavanat says Jackson and Turnbo stole 322 different Ruger .380 caliber pistols and 44 different Ruger .22 LR caliber pistols.

“Cargo theft from shipping facilities that interrupts and threatens interstate commerce must be dealt with swiftly and certainly. Cargo theft of hundreds of firearms is especially dangerous, and threatens the lives of countless citizens,” said Dunavant.

“We are thankful that all of the stolen firearms were recovered due to the quick action and outstanding investigation by local and federal law enforcement, and we appreciate the coordination and partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois in this disturbing case. Interstate trafficking of stolen firearms will be met with aggressive prosecution in order to protect public safety.”

Jackson and Turnbo received three similar charges: conspiring to transport stolen guns, knowingly transporting and shipping interstate commerce, and knowingly possessing stolen firearms.

Jackson received another charge as a convicted felon knowingly possessing stolen firearms.

Both Jackson and Turnbo have been taken into custody and detained while their trial is pending.