MOSS POINT, MS – Anthony Loyd Parson, Jr., 37, of Moss Point, Mississippi, is headed to federal prison for five years after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), highlights the ongoing struggle to keep illegal guns off the streets and trace weapons used in violent crime.
The trouble began April 15, 2022, when Moss Point Police Department officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Parson. Instead of complying, Parson fled on foot, sparking a brief pursuit. Recovered near his abandoned vehicle was a cell phone and, crucially, a handgun stripped of its identifying serial number. Removing a serial number isn’t just a paperwork issue; it’s a deliberate attempt to hide the gun’s history, making it impossible to track its origin and any potential connection to other crimes.
Federal prosecutors didn’t just focus on the gun itself. Parson’s past loomed large in the courtroom. He already had prior felony convictions – for possession of a controlled substance and, more seriously, for drive-by shooting. This history played a significant role in securing the 60-month sentence handed down by the court. The repeat offender status clearly signaled to the judge that Parson presented a continuing danger to the community.
A federal grand jury indicted Parson, and he ultimately entered a guilty plea on October 19, 2023. The plea likely came as a strategic move, acknowledging the overwhelming evidence against him and hoping to mitigate a potentially longer sentence. However, given his criminal history and the nature of the offense, the judge showed little leniency.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson jointly announced the sentencing. “This case demonstrates our commitment to aggressively pursuing those who tamper with firearms and endanger public safety,” Gee stated. Jackson added that obliterating a serial number is a serious crime that hinders law enforcement’s ability to solve gun-related violence. The Moss Point Police Department provided crucial assistance during the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on the evidence gathered by the ATF and local police. Parson’s five-year sentence serves as a warning: altering or possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number will draw the full force of federal law. The New Orleans Field Division of the ATF will continue to work with local partners to stem the flow of illegal firearms in the region.”
Related Federal Cases
- Moss Point Man Faces 10 Years for Gun Charges · Mississippi
- Daniel Mireles-Reyna, Stolen Gun Possession, MS, 2023 · Mississippi
- Steven Eugene Johnson, Gun and Homemade Silencer Possession, TN 2018 · Ohio
- Jermaine Franklin, Gun Possession, MS 2024 · Maine
- Courtney Kentrell Chapman, Gun Possession, MS 2024 · Mississippi
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