Floyd Michael Richardson, a 25-year-old man from Jasper, Texas, is headed to federal prison after being caught with a loaded, stolen pistol and crack cocaine in plain sight. The conviction marks another blow against illegal gun possession in East Texas, where authorities are cracking down on repeat offenders.
Richardson pleaded guilty on October 4, 2016, to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Today, U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield handed down a 70-month federal prison sentence in the Eastern District of Texas. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston, underscoring the DOJ’s push to remove weapons from dangerous individuals.
The arrest unfolded on March 27, 2016, when law enforcement responded to a disturbance at the Jasper Manor Apartments. Officers spotted Richardson exiting a vehicle with crack cocaine visible on the center console. He fled on foot as officers moved in, but not before they secured the car and found a loaded pistol inside — a weapon reported stolen just days prior.
Further investigation confirmed Richardson’s status as a prohibited person under federal law. He had been convicted in Jefferson County, Texas, in 2010 for both theft and robbery. As a convicted felon, he is legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition. Despite that, he was found in control of a weapon that could have ended lives.
A federal grand jury indicted Richardson on August 3, 2016, on charges tied to the illegal firearm possession. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods — a federal initiative targeting gun violence through coordinated efforts between local, state, and federal agencies.
The investigation was conducted by the Jasper Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case highlights the ongoing collaboration between local forces and federal prosecutors to disrupt the cycle of violent crime in high-risk communities across the Eastern District of Texas.
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