MERIDIAN, MS – Billy Ray Craven, 55, is headed to federal prison for over six years after being convicted of possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction. The sentence, handed down this week, is the result of a case built by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office.
The trouble began August 6, 2019, when Lauderdale County deputies pulled Craven over during a traffic stop connected to a narcotics investigation. A search of Craven’s vehicle revealed a firearm. Crucially, Craven was already prohibited from possessing any weapons due to a previous felony conviction – details of which remain sealed. This wasn’t a simple mistake; it was a deliberate act by a convicted criminal to arm himself illegally.
Craven was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 23, 2020, facing the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He initially fought the charges, but ultimately pled guilty on August 10, 2022. The protracted legal battle couldn’t erase the fact that Craven was caught red-handed with a weapon he had no legal right to possess.
U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca of the Southern District of Mississippi announced Craven’s 77-month sentence, emphasizing the commitment of his office to keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals. ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt H. Thielhorn echoed those sentiments, highlighting the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement.
This case wasn’t an isolated incident. It was prosecuted under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses on targeting the most dangerous offenders and investing in preventative measures, hoping to break the cycle of violence. The program prioritizes long-term solutions, but in this case, it delivered a swift and significant punishment for a clear violation of the law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham led the prosecution, securing the lengthy prison term for Craven. While 77 months won’t undo the risk Craven posed to the community, it sends a clear message: possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon will result in serious federal consequences. The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and ATF continue to investigate related leads, seeking to uncover any further criminal activity connected to Craven.”
Related Federal Cases
- Douglas Ray Lollis, Jr., Felon in Possession of Firearm, Oklahoma 2025 · Oklahoma
- Delontay Scott, Felon with Firearm, Meridian MS, 2023 · Mississippi
- Richard Dale Henry, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, OK 2016 · Oklahoma
- Marvin Naylor, Felon Firearm Possession, MS 2017 · Pennsylvania
- Eric Hubbard, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, New York 2024 · New York
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