Memphis, TN – Four convicted felons have been sentenced to federal prison for selling firearms at a local hotel and to undercover federal agents. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.
The individuals involved in the firearms trafficking and sentenced to prison were:Fred Buford, 33, of Memphis, TNCourtney Hibler, 41, of Memphis, TNFrederick Munn, 38, of Memphis, TNLarry Smith, aka “Killa” 39, of Houston, TXAs part of Operation “Back to Business”, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that Buford, Hibler, Munn, and Smith regularly possessed firearms at the Economy Hotel located at 3869 Lamar Avenue and sold firearms in the hotel's parking lot. In November of 2024, the hotel was shut down by the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit as a public nuisance following complaints of drug sales, homicides, and gang activity. According to information presented in court, in June of 2025, the ATF received information that “Killa”, later identified as Larry Smith, a multiple convicted felon with a prior criminal history of Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Burglary, had fentanyl and firearms for sale. Between July and August of 2025, Smith facilitated 11 firearms deals in which Smith, Buford, Hibler, and Munn provided the firearms, including one stolen gun. Additionally, Smith facilitated a transaction where Hibler sold fentanyl. Munn has a prior criminal history that includes felony convictions for Aggravated Assault, Auto Burglary, and Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon. Hibler has a prior criminal history that includes felony convictions for Theft of Property and False Reporting.
Photo of firearms seized.
In September of 2025, Buford, Hibler, Munn, and Smith were indicted for their roles in both the firearms trafficking and fentanyl distribution. All defendants pled guilty and were sentenced to federal prison by the Honorable Sheryl H. Lipman, Chief United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee.
On July 30, 2026, Buford pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. On September 2, 2026, the Court determined that Buford qualified as an Armed Career Criminal (ACC) offender based on his three prior violent felony convictions for Attempted Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Burglary (x2) and Auto Burglary, and sentenced Buford to 180 months of incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On February 20, 2026, Smith pled guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms. On June 16, 2026, Smith was sentenced to 76 months of incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On February 17, 2026, Munn pled guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms. On May 29, 2026, Munn was sentenced to 94 months of incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On February 12, 2026, Hibler pled guilty to distributing fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm. On May 28, 2026, Hibler was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Killa" and his crew posed an immediate and ongoing threat to the public by their repeated illegal gun sales which flooded the streets of Memphis with instruments of death. Thanks to the great work of ATF and our federal and local law enforcement partners, this group of felons is out of business and Memphis is safer.”"This case involved an organized group of individuals who conspired to distribute illegal firearms and deadly narcotics on our Memphis streets," said Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville. "The ATF, alongside our local, state and federal partners, remains steadfast in our mission to hold firearm and narcotic traffickers accountable and protect the community."
This case was investigated by the ATF and assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Memphis Police Department (MPD) Multi-agency Gang Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory D. Allen and Gregory A. Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.###For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.
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