LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Tennessee man is being prosecuted for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon after he allegedly pulled out a gun during a protest in downtown Louisville Monday night.
U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman said law enforcement saw Tevin R. Patton pull out a gun during their surveillance near Fourth Street at around 10:20 p.m. They then used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the crowd, hitting Patton with pepper balls.
Patton ran to his car, however was stopped by police shortly after. Police found a partially loaded .45 caliber pistol in his vehicle.
The Memphis native had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary in 2013, as well as aggravated assault in 2016. He has also previously been charged with domestic violence and fleeing police.
“We cherish First Amendment-protected speech in Kentucky but will not tolerate outsiders traveling to Louisville to do harm to our city and its people,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “This type criminal conduct puts both protesters and police at risk.”
Coleman said his office will federally prosecute anyone who "exploits peaceful protest for violence or to violate federal law."
If convicted, the maximum sentence Patton would face is no more than 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
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