Crime

TN Nurse Arrested on Gun Charges at 9/11 Memorial Takes No-Jail Plea Deal

The Tennessee woman facing felony gun charges for accidentally bringing her pistol to the 9/11 memorial won‘t’ spend a day in prison.

TN Nurse Arrested on Gun Charges at 9/11 Memorial Takes No Jail Deal

(photo credit: Matthew McDermott for the NY Post)

The New York Post reports that Meredith Graves has accepted a plea deal that drops the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor and has no jail time attached.

The Blaze told you the story of Graves this past December.  A 39-year-old, registered nurse and fourth year medical student,  Graves was visiting the 9/11 memorial at the World Trade Center site on Dec. 22 when she decided to check in the handgun she accidentally packed in her purse.

When Graves asked where she could check her pistol, she was immediately arrested for felony gun possession. The charge in New York City carries a mandatory 3 1/2 year prison sentence.

Graves has always maintained she didn’t realize that the loaded .32-caliber pistol in her purse was illegal to have, as she is legally licensed to carry in Tennessee. It appears prosecutors believed it was an honest mistake, and decided to exercise their discretion in offering a deal with considerably lesser charges attached.

Graves lawyer, Daniel Horwitz said packing the gun was “completely inadvertent, she lives a very hectic life” as a doctor in training, “working nights and then mornings. Somehow, the bag got packed, and the gun was in there.”

Still, Graves now has a misdemeanor weapons charge on her record. Horwitz expressed his hope that medical licensing boards will exercise good judgment and give Graves the right to practice medicine despite the guilty plea on her record.

“She’s happy that this ordeal is over, and she’s looking forward to getting on with her life and her career as a doctor,” Horwitz said, adding that Graves graduates in May from a Knoxville-based medical school.”

TN Nurse Arrested on Gun Charges at 9/11 Memorial Takes No Jail Deal

Ryan Jerome

Graves is not the only visitor to the Big Apple from out of state who has been jammed up on accidental gun possession charges. Ryan Jerome, a former Marine and jewelry dealer, got busted with a handgun at the Empire State Building this past September. He was under the impression he could legally carry in New York, but authorities let him know he was wrong by slapping handcuffs on him.

Jerome also faces felony gun possession charges, but so far has refused the same plea deal offered to Graves. He wants the charges dropped, and has had a lot of support from fellow Marines and gun rights advocates across the country.

Jerome is due back in court in Manhattan today. The Blaze will report on any developments.

Comments (58)

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  • ContinentalArmy
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 6:01pm

    NY State violated Graves 2nd Amendment Rights! This Right Covers All U.S Land and it’s Territories! She didn’t deserve this type of treatment, Period! I For one Will Carry Regardless, in any State I happen to be Passing Through! Other States In Violation: New Jersey: Illinois: and California, that I know of so far. Comply with Rules that go against the Constitution, Hell No!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • BrownWaterVet
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 3:08am

      Source: http://www.nyc.gov NYPD:
      As of 3-12-2012 NYC has had a year to date muder rate of 69, robberies @ 3498 & felony assault @ 3009. During the period of 2003-2011, 69% of the murders in NYC were firearm related.

      My question is to the authorities in NYC. If your very strict gun ban laws (What I belive is in violation of the 2nd Ammendment) is so great, why are there still 69% of your murders related to firearms. Murder is criminal, homicide is not necessarily (justifiable). As far as I can tell from this article & others I have read, both of these people had CCW permits in their respective states. Don’t you guys think that using common sense & saving your taxpayers some money by not hasseling tourists would be a good thing for NYC’s reputation? Just saying.

      Semper Fortis

      Report Post »  
  • ENIGMA28724
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 5:02pm

    New Jersey is another place with idiotic gun laws to avoid.

    Report Post »  
  • leonardo44
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:20pm

    Are officials that obtuse and inflexible that law enforcement can’t tell the difference between a law abiding citizen making an honest mistake as opposed to those with criminal intent? Graves should not even have the misdemeanor on her record and i hope R Jerome gets all charges dropped. NYC is insane. The only people with guns in NYC are the criminals. It’s all part of Eric Holders brainwashing anti gun agenda. Makes me want to go out and buy another gun asap.

    Report Post »  
  • Endstatism
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:34pm

    Many years ago the city of New York tried to scam Iowans for unpaid parking tickets, in some cases the people were never physically in the city. The NYC city attorneys demanded that the AG of Iowa help them collect the money on the parking tickets, Iowa`s AG told them to go straight to hell

    Report Post » Endstatism  
  • Endstatism
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:30pm

    The moral of this story along with the Jerome case is to know the gun laws of the state you are traveling in. They can be easily found online. You do have protection under federal law carrying firearms across state lines, but they have to be kept unloaded and cased in the trunk. And citizens have to stop being intimidated by police officers who think the Constitution is a obstruction. Just because you are pulled over for a traffic citation does not give them probable cause to search your vehicle. Traffic citations are civil offenses, not criminal and that is not just cause for a search. You do not have to consent, be polite but firm.

    Report Post » Endstatism  
  • rja444
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:30pm

    It should not be illegal. If NY would use reason an logic rather than emotion to make its laws. But that would assume to much from a liberal.

    Report Post »  
  • Diego Roswell
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:36pm

    I would not spend one cent in the state of NY for as long as I shall live. NY can burn in Hell. The state that elects the most corrupt, radical, criminal government and allows senators like Schumer to represent them deserves nothing but what they get. HIgh taxes, high crime, no personal security, high prices, crowds, filth, vermin, and sooner or later a well deserved well placed WMD.

    Report Post » Diego Roswell  
    • SageInWaiting
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:12pm

      Agree except on one point: NY and IL are running neck-and-neck for that “most corrupt” title. I, personally, avoid both if I can. Unfortunately, I must pass through IL at times… I just take a deep breath in IN and exhale in E. StL and breath freely again in MO.

      Report Post » SageInWaiting  
    • Michael61
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:52pm

      Can somebody please sue New York for breaking the Second Amendment?

      Some AG please, from KY or AZ or TX or some other sane state, please sue the New York city? Maybe the Supreme Court can take the case?

      I have to live here. I am a law-obiding citizen, a homeowner, and a marksman. Used to teach police how to shoot handguns, but I can not get the concealed carry permit in NYC, no way no how.

      Please somebody help!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Endstatism
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:22pm

      The State Of New York can not only burn in hell, so can all of their statist politicians like Schumer, Cuomo, Gillibrand, and Bloomberg. It is too bad that they cant be kicked out of the Union and let them run their dung heap like some Soviet/ Nazi /Fascist dystopian state. I dont understand why the NRA and the gun industry wont get behind the idea of stopping all gun and ammo sales to NY government agencies. That would over time force their elected officials to have their backs against the wall.

      Report Post » Endstatism  
    • CapitalistUno
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 5:22pm

      @Michael61, Thank You Sir. You are correct in stating that the government is actually the one breaking the law. Why the hell do we even have the 2nd amendment if we’re not allowed to exercise it?

      Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:15pm

    Something stinks about this story and I smell a rat.
    Since my first two comments where not allowed.
    that’s all I have to say.
    Whats up with that …Buck..!

    Report Post » sawbuck  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:29pm

      I’ve been to NYC enough… and would not go back, even with a gun!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • DiamondDog
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:12pm

    New York motorist were probably spared a whole lot of tickets in the state of Tennessee.
    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/states-fights-tn-vows-payback-on-new-yorkers-after-911-memorial-gun-arrest/

    Report Post »  
  • eramthgin
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:54pm

    No one should ever go to the state of new york again. At least not until it rejoins the Union. No state or city has the right to tell any citizen that they may not defend themselves and be “secure” in their person.

    Report Post » eramthgin  
  • Warphead
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:22pm

    The only way to stop this madness is to choke it off. How do you do that? QUIT SPENDING YOUR MONEY IN NEW YORK! Let the hell hole go bankrupt under it’s liberal leadership.
    The leaders and law makers of New York are extreme liberals and are guilty (in this case) of not only violating the constitution of the United States, but by detaining and putting on trial this woman they have viloated her civil rights. And you that enforce those unconstitutional laws are not exempt either. You cops out there doing routinely doing what you know to be wrong, what does that say about your character? All I can say people is that when your dealing with a Cop, you had better be careful, just ask Ms. Graves. Oh, one other thing to all the Ms. Graves out there. WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR HANDGUN TRAINING??? Have you never heard of recopricity laws? In the class I attended it was drilled into your head where you can and can’t take your handgun. To go to another state with your pistol with out checking the recopricity laws first makes you the D/A of the week. My rule, if another state doesn’t allow me to take my gun, I do not go there. They can screw o%%.

    Report Post » Warphead  
    • Maji
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:42pm

      Got a feeling if you‘re a NY cop you aren’t
      going to tell anyone while you’re down south.

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:26pm

      I’m just hoping for a Godzilla attack or alien invasion on New York so that we can have a good excuse to level the place and start over. By the way, if that Marine Corps veteran gets charged, they will have alot of oath keeping service members knocking at the door and they won’t be packing chewing gum either.

      Report Post » SgtB  
  • STEELERINTEXAS
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:18pm

    Agree with SMITHCLAR3. New York city smells like a port-a-poty on a hot August Texas day. Who would even want to visit that town?

    Report Post »  
  • thedirtmover
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:11pm

    Mark Mekler of the Tea Party needs to be added to that list.

    Report Post » thedirtmover  
  • Krutch
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:03pm

    And yet, real felons get thier charges reduced or droped routinely. Lesson here is, go along with the persecutors and stay out of jail. At least until even the ‘minor’ charges become jail time offences. The ‘record’ stays with her and it will probably hurt her later in life.

    Report Post »  
  • Hawker
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:59am

    @ Equaljustice thanks for the youtube Elke’s warning . Its a must see for everyone. The last statements are so true in todays world. Gov. s constant harping , helping the poor as a way to take all and give a little or just enough to keep them down on the Gov. plantation.

    Report Post » Hawker  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:50am

    The former Marine from Indiana is still holding out for a no-bill from the DA, refusing to cop a plea of any kind.

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • chips1
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:40am

    The only thing the prosecuters were interested in was a conviction so they can add it to their resume. Every situation must be judged on it’s own merits; however the court system isn’t capable of common sense. The court failed completely. All it did was drive a wedge between justice and Americans. Don’t talk to anyone from the government.

    Report Post »  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:49am

      already travel to neyyork and california is like going to another country with different constutions and rules…………….

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:47pm

      I’m still waiting for the movie “Law Abiding Citizen” to become a non-fiction. I’ll go see the remake when it does.

      Oh, and just as a point of interest. I got a ticket the other day that I wasn’t guilty of and without going to court I had it dismissed. However, I still had to pay a $30 court cost. The original ticket was for $50, so basically I got a deal for 40% off. Like a coupon. I do not trust the legal system a single bit. Anyway, I noticed that the court clerks are behind 2 inch thick acrylic or polycarbonate windows. I don’t care who you are, if you have to work behind bulletproof glass, either you are in the wrong or you have a shi##y job. Oh, and if you are going to put in bulletproof windows (Norman, Ok) then you shouldn’t be surprised when someone with half a brain notices that the wall directly below them is made of 1/2“ drywall and either metal or 2×4 studs and still causes your ”protected” clerks bodily harm.

      Last point, or rather a query. Is it in the job description of a court clerk or DMV worker to be so fat that only 1/3 or less of their @55 hits their chair? I‘ve never seen so many women in one place that were so wide that they couldn’t fit through a door the normal way. And the crazy part was that they didn’t look that huge until they stood up and you could see that they sit so much that they grew to match their chair and then some.

      Report Post » SgtB  
  • hammer71
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:39am

    It’s amazing that you can be arrested for being an American citizen in New York City. It‘s almost as if it’s not part of the US anymore.

    Report Post »  
    • TIREBITER
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:38pm

      They left the USA and our constitution a long time ago.

      Report Post » TIREBITER  
  • selloursouls
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:32am

    She accepted a plea deal that admitted she was guilty of following the 2nd Amendment. What is happening to this country? She is guilty of being an American. When too few are willing to fight this is what happens, the few end up folding because they don’t have the support they should. Being law-abiding citizens is starting to destroy our liberties.

    Report Post » selloursouls  
  • jungle J
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:27am

    She caved..she should not carry a weapon again if she won’t defend herself in court…leave the fight to someone else….prolly drives a foriegn car too.

    Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:35am

      She should have never taken the deal…..the government doesn’t have the right to force citizen into accepting charges for practicing their god given and constitutionally protected rights.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:24pm

      She is a fourth year medical student. She probably has neither the time, nor the money to fight this.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:28pm

      so she should spend all of her time fighting this which takes away from her ability to finish med school? i dont think so. she is made a good choice both were wrong she should have never been charged in the first place but do you all have any idea how hard and time consuming med school is?

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:14pm

      She probably wanted her dream to be a doctor come true. She would have been in jail for carrying a gun to protect her from the very type of person who is in jail. Think what her life would be like in jail. She would be marked as a felon. She would loose her nursing lisence and her opportunity to be a doctor. If you call that caving, I guess it is. I don‘t guess I don’t pray at the altar of Clyde Dallas.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • The highlander
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:20am

    New York is a flagship city for the NEW WORLD ORDER. There agenda reads like a perverted index of a Orwellian novel:

    -Churches kicked off public property
    -oxymoron gay marriage bill passed
    -food regulations that would make Hitler proud
    -gun confiscation laws that parallel 1935 Germany
    -more surveillance camera’s than toilets
    -Heaquarter’s for UN, the promulgator of corrupt Marxist global government policies

    And the list goes on an on. Notice the political and legislative similarities between New York state and California. This dystopia will fully engulf America if Obama wins in 2012. WAKE UP

    Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:36am

      New York is a cess pool …that stinks like p*ss on a hot summer day. literally

      Report Post »  
  • cessna152
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:15am

    She should have told them she was an occupier that does not pay her taxes and is an illegal that supports Obama …they would have given her gun back and $50 with an apology on the spot.

    Report Post » cessna152  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:12am

    Anyone legally carrying in their home state, should have the smarts to check the areas they’re visiting gun laws …. This totally surprises me that they didn’t check out the laws. I mean NY is a no brainer!

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:27am

      Is it legal to carry your concealed carry license in New York? Without the gun? Say you are from out of state …. no gun but it is I.D.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:27am

      Which laws should she recognize? The supreme law of the land or NYC’s?

      Report Post » justangry  
  • PoliticalTs.com
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:06am

    Go Marine, fight the oppresion. The woman should not have relented. Hopefully the Marine will take the case all the way to the Supremes if need be. New York needs to have these ridiculous laws oveturned.

    Report Post »  
    • blanco5
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:18am

      Agree, gun laws shouldn’t even exist…..2nd Ammendment!

      Report Post »  
  • blanco5
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:57am

    I won’t be spending a dime to visit ny. I will make sure to spend my money elsewhere!

    Report Post »  
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