Memphis man sentenced after interstate pursuit ends in DeSoto County

Key Points

• DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department played a pivotal role in the apprehension and recovery of a firearm from a violent multi-state offender.
• Sharka Corbin, 34, was sentenced to over ten years in federal prison after a high-speed pursuit ended in a crash in North Mississippi.
• The sentencing is hailed as a victory for Project Safe Neighborhoods, emphasizing local and federal cooperation to curb habitual offenders.

OXFORD, Miss. – A high-speed pursuit that barreled across the Tennessee-Mississippi state line ended with a Memphis man facing more than a decade in federal prison, thanks to the swift intervention of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills sentenced Sharka Corbin, 34, to 125 months in prison on Thursday. The sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, comes after Corbin—a previously convicted felon—was found in possession of a firearm following a dangerous chase that concluded in the Northern District of Mississippi.

While Corbin was wanted for several violent offenses in Shelby County, Tennessee, it was the proactive response in DeSoto County that brought the spree to a halt. After Corbin wrecked his vehicle during the pursuit, DeSoto County deputies successfully apprehended the suspect and recovered a pistol, securing the critical evidence needed for federal prosecution.

“Prosecuting habitual offenders is a top priority for the Northern District of Mississippi,” said U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary. He noted that the case was a cornerstone of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that hinges on the “strong working relationship” between federal authorities and local agencies like the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and DeSoto County authorities. Joshua Jackson, ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge, emphasized that the 10-year sentence serves as a stern warning to prohibited individuals.

Corbin had previously entered a guilty plea to the charges. Officials stated that removing such offenders from the streets is essential for local community safety, where violent crime rates often fluctuate based on the mobility of habitual offenders across the Memphis metro area.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Addison prosecuted the case, marking another successful removal of a firearm from the hands of a felon within the DeSoto County corridor.