A Memphis man is headed to federal prison for 10 years after shooting up his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle and using a firearm he had taken from her without permission.

On April 13, 2025, around 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 3600 block of Elm Park Road. When they arrived, they found multiple bullet holes in the victim’s vehicle.

Through the investigation, officers identified the victim’s ex-boyfriend, 40-year-old Ronnie Dobson, as the person responsible. Investigators determined that Dobson had taken the victim’s firearm without her permission and used it during the shooting.

Dobson was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, Theft of Property to wit: Firearm, and Domestic Assault.

The case was later referred to MPD’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Unit (PSN) for potential federal prosecution. Through MPD’s PSN Unit, every shooting and act of gun violence reported in our city is reviewed for potential federal prosecution. This allows investigators to identify cases that may qualify for federal charges and carry significant prison sentences.

A federal criminal complaint was filed on April 30, 2026, followed by a formal indictment on May 6, 2026.

Dobson ultimately pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Violence has consequences, and those consequences can extend far beyond an initial arrest. Through our continued work with federal law enforcement partners, MPD will keep pursuing cases that hold violent offenders accountable.