Career Offender Pleads Guilty Mid-Trial

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against career offender who threatened to shoot his wife.  Michael Lee Powell, 35, was convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Aggravated Burglary, Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Aggravated Assault.  During the middle of the trial and after the victim testified, Powell pled guilty and accepted a sentence of twenty years to serve without the possibility of parole.

In a two-day trial that turned into a plea hearing, Assistant District Attorney TaKisha Fitzgerald and Molly Martin explained to the jury that on September 26, 2024, Knoxville Police Department Officer Christopher McCurry responded to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance on New York Avenue where neighbors and firefighters saw Powell arguing and chasing the victim across the street.  During the subsequent investigation, officers learned that Powell and the victim were married, and Powell began arguing with the victim when he came home, demanding to see the victim’s cell phone.  He pinned the victim to the bed and struck her.  Ring camera video showed that as Powell was going to retrieve a handgun, he told the victim, “I’m about to blow your s*** out here….  Call 911.  I bet they don’t make it here.”  Powell returned with a handgun with an extended magazine.  The victim then fled the home and ran across the street.

“Modern technology and the bravery of the victim helped to send this violent offender back to prison,” said DA Allen.

Powell has eight prior felony convictions for Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, and Aggravated Burglary offenses.  He has also been identified as a member of the Vice Lords.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Sheri Burkett and Legal Secretary Cathleen Wilson aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.