Edward Dewayne Cockerham, Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon, Mississippi 2024

Magnolia, MS – Edward Dewayne Cockerham, 35, of Magnolia, Mississippi, is facing federal prison time after admitting to possessing a firearm while already a convicted felon. The bust came during a routine traffic stop, exposing Cockerham’s illegal weapon and a checkered past.

According to court documents, agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and a Pike County Sheriff’s deputy pulled Cockerham over. A search revealed he was carrying a firearm, a clear violation of federal law given his prior conviction for failing to support minor children. He was on supervised probation at the time of the traffic stop, adding another layer to his legal troubles.

Cockerham was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. While he’s entered a guilty plea, the full weight of the law is yet to fall. He’s currently scheduled to be sentenced on August 1, 2024. The federal judge presiding over the case will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors before handing down a sentence.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) jointly announced the guilty plea. The investigation was a collaborative effort, also involving the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, highlighting a multi-agency approach to tackling gun crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway is prosecuting the case. This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. The program focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategically enforcing laws to enhance public safety.

The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing focused enforcement priorities and measurable results. Cockerham’s case serves as a stark reminder that those with felony convictions who illegally possess firearms will be pursued by federal authorities. A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison awaits Cockerham, should the judge impose the full sentence.

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