Derrick Keys, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Mississippi 2019

Hattiesburg, MS – A Hattiesburg man has been convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm after a high-speed chase through the city.

Derrick Keys, 34, of Hattiesburg, was the driver of a vehicle pulled over by Hattiesburg Police Department officers near Mobile Street on April 25, 2019. During the stop, Keys began to flee in the motor vehicle, leading police on a miles-long chase through a residential zone.

Keys eventually abandoned his vehicle and began to flee on foot. Hattiesburg Police officers found Keys a short distance later, as well as a firearm that he discarded while fleeing on foot.

According to court documents, Keys later admitted to possessing the firearm. He was originally indicted for this offense on March 16, 2021.

Keys faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced on November 10, 2021, by a federal district judge. The judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hattiesburg Police Department investigated the case. The joint federal, state, and local program focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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