MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man has been sentenced to nearly seven years in federal prison after investigators linked him to identity theft, bank fraud, stolen vehicles, and illegal firearm possession.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced that 31-year-old David Watkins was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to prosecutors, the investigation began on June 28, 2022, when Bartlett Police responded to a burglary at Keytrader, an automotive locksmith business. Suspects stole key programming equipment and numerous vehicle key fobs during the break-in.
While fleeing, one of the suspects dropped a cellphone. Investigators examined the device and identified Watkins as one of the burglary suspects.
Search warrants executed at locations associated with Watkins led detectives to recover the stolen locksmith equipment and key fobs, along with notebooks and documents containing evidence of vehicle theft, bank fraud, and identity theft.
A subsequent investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Social Security Administration found Watkins had used the personal identifying information of multiple victims to open fraudulent bank accounts and make unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ accounts into accounts under his control.
Investigators also found Watkins possessed numerous counterfeit and unauthorized Social Security numbers with the intent to commit fraud.
On July 27, 2022, Bartlett Police located Watkins getting into a stolen 1999 GMC Sierra at a Memphis residence. When officers approached, Watkins fled on foot, dropping bags containing an FN America 9mm pistol, key programmers, key fobs, and a face covering.
Several months later, on Feb. 23, 2023, Memphis Police officers attempted to stop a silver Mercedes G500 that was being driven without license plates or headlights.
Authorities identified Watkins as the driver after he fled on foot, throwing away a Springfield Armory 9mm pistol during the chase. Investigators later determined the Mercedes had also been reported stolen.
Watkins pleaded guilty on Jan. 9, 2026.
On June 24, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Watkins to 81 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Because the case was prosecuted in federal court, Watkins will not be eligible for parole.
“Watkins’ diversified portfolio of criminality finally caught up with him,” U.S. Attorney Dunavant said. “He is clearly an opportunist who was willing to repeatedly victimize and endanger citizens by any means available, and this federal prison sentence is well deserved.”
The case was investigated by the Bartlett Police Department, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Social Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eileen Kuo prosecuted the case.
