Alred Wells said Monday he has turned his life around and is now leading Bible studies at the county jail.
Wells, 45, said he hopes when he gets out of federal prison to persuade others not to go down the path he did.
He was given a 77-month sentence by Judge Sandy Mattice on a gun charge.
Chattanooga Police last July 20 searched his house and found $820 in his pocket, approximately 1.4 grams of cocaine, 18 unmarked prescription pills and digital scales in his bedroom and marijuana plants in his back yard.
There was also a loaded .38 caliber Rossi Revolver under the mattress in his bedroom.
Wells told police he did not sell drugs, but did use cocaine. He said he did not know anything about the marijuana in the back yard. He said he got the gun after a known gang member shot at him.
His attorney said he has diabetes and suffers from being shot in the foot.
Prosecutor Chris Poole said Wells was not suppose to possess a gun - especially after a second-degree murder conviction.