Whisnant Found Guilty On Federal Weapons Violations

Knoxville, TN (2008-10-28) A federal jury in Knoxville has found Douglas Whisnant, the man implicated in the disappearance of his ex-wife, guilty of federal weapons violations.

In Knoxville on Monday, a federal jury deliberated for just an hour and fifteen minutes before finding Douglas Whisnant guilty on two federal weapons charges. In the case, authorities alleged that Whisnant, a convicted sex offender, had unlawfully possessed several firearms, including a Sten machine gun.

In its verdict, the jury found Whisnant guilty of possessing firearms and ammunition. On March 9, 2007, authorities, who were searching for evidence in the disappearance of Whisnant’s ex-wife, searched his Ditney Trail home. In that search, authorities uncovered a cache of weapons and ammunition behind a false wall in his living room. Authorities recovered two .22 caliber rifles, a 7.62 caliber rifle, a .22 caliber pistol, a 9mm pistol and a pair of 12 gauge shotguns, along with about 550 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition.

Of particular interest to authorities was the discovery of Sten machine gun. On July 18, 2005 Whisnant had been found guilty in Scott County Criminal Court for possession of a prohibited weapon, namely a Sten machine gun. In the search of his home on March 9, 2007, authorities also found a Sten machine gun. The weapon, stated authorities, was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Since Whisnant had previously been convicted of possessing the same or similar weapon, authorities argued that he had motive and intent.

The jury concurred, finding Whisnant guilty of receiving or possessing a firearm which was not registered to him.

Following the verdict, Whisnant was remanded back to federal custody. U.S. District Judge Thomas A Varlan will sentence Whisnant on February 19, 2009.

Whisnant’s ex-wife, Jean Johnson, disappeared on February 24, 2007. She has not been found.