Weapons trafficking indictment of Memphis gangster announced 

Photo: Guyland Key (Courtesy photo)

Aug 15, 2024 – DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton Thursday announced the indictment of Guyland Key, age 23 of Memphis, Tennessee, on charges related to a high-profile burglary at Guns & Fine Jewelry in Southaven on March 10, 2023. 

Key faces a DeSoto County Circuit Court indictment with charges including one count of Weapons Trafficking, one count of Burglary of a Commercial Building, one count of Conspiracy, and one count of Grand Larceny.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

“This indictment sends a clear message: if you come from Memphis or anywhere else to commit  crimes in DeSoto County, we’re coming after you with everything we have,” said Barton. “Because of Southaven’s tremendous police work, we are going to pursue justice aggressively against Key and anyone else who conspired with him.” 

According to the indictment, at approximately 1:10 a.m. on March 10, 2023, Key and four other suspects allegedly entered Fine Jewelry and Guns. The group, clad in hoods,  gloves, and masks, stole over 150 firearms and jewelry. 

Key was arrested and remains in Arkansas prison. The District Attorney’s office will now begin the process of having Key extradited to DeSoto County to face these charges.

Barton thanked the Southaven Police Department, along with federal agencies, for  their investigative work. Assistant D.A. Gordon Shaw is handling the prosecution of this case. 

Charges: 

• Weapons Trafficking, felony, one count 

• Burglary of a Commercial Building, felony, one count 

• Conspiracy, felony, one count 

• Grand Larceny, felony, one count