Little Rock, Arkansas – Marcus Venson, a multi-convicted felon from Little Rock, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm despite his criminal status. United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker presided over the sentencing on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Venson will also undergo three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
The conviction stems from an incident on March 18, 2018, when Little Rock Police Department officers were called to a theft at a local residence. Upon arrival, they discovered Venson attempting to exit a nearby residence with a stolen television. As officers confronted him, Venson remarked, “I’m just trying to steal stuff,” while simultaneously denying possession of a firearm that was visibly sticking out of his pocket.
During the apprehension, authorities not only retrieved the silver firearm from Venson but also found ammunition and phencyclidine (PCP) on his person. The events leading to his arrest painted a clear picture of his disregard for the law, particularly due to his prior criminal convictions, which include aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, residential burglary, and battery in the second degree.
Venson’s lengthy criminal record classified him as an armed career criminal offender, which influenced the severity of his sentencing. The Little Rock Police Department was integral in the investigation leading to Venson’s latest conviction. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Crews and John Ray White were responsible for prosecuting the case, ensuring that justice was served in the Eastern District of Arkansas.
