Man Charged with Providing Handgun to Anthony Thompson, Jr.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for the man that provided a handgun to Anthony Thompson, Jr. Kelvon Foster, 21, has been charged with Providing Handguns to Juveniles. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Brandon Elkins obtained the warrant this morning. At the same time, prosecutors with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives obtained federal complaints against Foster charging him with Making False or Fictitious Statements in Connection with the Purchase of a Firearm.

The arrest warrant obtained by S/A Elkins states that on April 5, 2021, Anthony Thompson, a 17-year-old juvenile whose date of birth is December 1, 2003, went to Harvey’s Pistol & Pawn, 5305 Clinton Plaza Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee 37912, and met the Defendant. Thompson viewed the handguns for sale and left the pawnshop. The Defendant then purchased a handgun, Glock Model 45 9mm handgun, Serial Number BRKR343. Later that day, the Defendant met Thompson in a parking lot off Broadway in Knoxville, Tennessee, and provided the Glock Model 45 handgun to Thompson.

On April 12, 2021, officers with the Knoxville Police Department attempted to apprehend Thompson at Austin East High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, as part of a domestic violence investigation. At the time the officers attempted to apprehend Thompson, he was armed with the Glock Model 45 handgun previously furnished to him by the Defendant. During the struggle to disarm him, Thompson was mortally wounded. Affiant recovered the Glock Model 45 during the crime scene investigation on April 12, 2021, at Austin East High School.

A subsequent investigation into the origin of the Glock Model 45 revealed it had been purchased at Harvey’s Pistol & Pawn on April 5, 2021, by the Defendant. Affiant interviewed the Defendant. The Defendant admitted to purchasing the firearm and providing the firearm to Thompson. The Defendant admitted that he furnished the firearm to Thompson for cash and marijuana. The Defendant admitted he had known Thompson since Thompson was five years old because he was friends with Thompson’s brother. During the investigation, two additional handguns were recovered from the Defendant.

This prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation by the District Attorney’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, in coordination with a parallel investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Providing Handguns to Juveniles is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a punishment up to eleven months and twenty-nine days. This case will be docketed in General Sessions Court by the Knox County Clerk’s Office. Updates about the status of this case can be obtained by contacting the Office of General Sessions Clerk Mike Hammond. Because this is a pending case, ethical rules prohibit the District Attorney’s Office from commenting further. Likewise, the TBI file will remain sealed during the pendency of these prosecutions.

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.