GRAND SALINE, Texas – In a grim turn of events, a 49-year-old Grand Saline resident has been meted out over three years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The revelation came to light during a seemingly routine traffic stop that led to a life-altering sentence.
Andrew Mark Harris, now aged 49, pleaded guilty on January 10, 2013, to the charge of possessing a .22 caliber pistol loaded with seven bullets. His previous convictions for three felony crimes- distribution of methamphetamine and debit/credit card abuse in Kaufman and Van Zandt Counties respectively- paved the way for his federal imprisonment sentence.
The incident that unraveled Harris’s fate began on April 26, 2012, when a Grand Saline police officer stopped him for driving with an expired inspection sticker. The arrest led to a thorough inventory of the vehicle’s contents, which ultimately uncovered the loaded pistol. U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis sentenced Harris to 40 months in federal prison during today’s hearing.
U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced the sentence, underscoring the severity of the offense and the Department of Justice’s commitment to enforcing gun laws that protect the public. The Grand Saline Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Tyler Office, investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble prosecuted it.
Harris’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who flout firearm regulations despite prior convictions. It also highlights the effectiveness of law enforcement in stopping potential threats before they can materialize.
Related Federal Cases
- Grand Prairie Drug Kingpin Daniel Martinez Jailed For 87 Months · Texas
- 19-Year-Old Pleads Guilty To Beaumont Carjacking, Gun Charges · Texas
- 31-Year-Old Texas Woman Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud · Texas
- 64-Year-Old Athens Man Pleads Guilty to $5M Tax Fraud · Texas
- Van Zandt Felon Herring Caged for 63 Months on Gun Rap · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News