West Memphis man sentenced to over 16 years in federal prison for illegal gun possession

LITTLE ROCK – Cornelius Corwine Sandlin, a multiple convicted felon, will serve 195 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm while a felon, according to the sentence handed down Wednesday by U.S. District Judge James M. Moody, Jr. Jonathan D. Ross, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

On February 9, 2024, Sandlin, 46, of West Memphis, pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm. Judge Moody also sentenced Sandlin to three years of probation. On February 7, 2023, Sandlin was charged with illegal possession of a firearm.

An investigation by the West Memphis Police Department (WMPD) revealed that on January 20, 2022, WMPD Violent Crimes Unit investigators received a tip from a confidential source that Sandlin was attempting to sell the confidential source an AR-style rifle from his motel room for approximately $300. Investigators conducted a surveillance operation and observed Sandlin exit a hotel room, clutching an object in his jacket believed to be a firearm, and entering his vehicle. Marked WMPD patrol vehicles conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in Sandlin's driveway. Sandlin fled on foot and was able to elude law enforcement at the time.

While searching Sandlin's vehicle, investigators discovered the Hämmerli rifle, Model Tac R1 22c .22 caliber, on the passenger seat. The rifle was loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition. Investigators also found a casino player ID and a pill bottle with Sandlin's name on it. Through further investigation, Sandlin was tracked down and taken into custody on February 24, 2022. At the time of his arrest, Sandlin was in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, plastic bags, a scale, ammunition, and a CB radio.

Sandlin is classified as an armed career criminal due to his violent criminal history, which includes robbery, theft, aggravated robbery, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana for the purpose of resale, possession of ecstasy for the purpose of resale, and possession of cocaine for the purpose of resale. Therefore, the maximum sentence Sandlin faced was no less than 15 years and no more than life imprisonment, no more than five years probation, and a $250,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the West Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reese Lancaster.

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