Tommy Robert Spells, Felon in Possession of Stolen Firearm, MS 2024

JACKSON, MS – Tommy Robert Spells, 32, is heading to federal prison for 18 months after being caught with a stolen handgun. U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves handed down the sentence today, along with a $1,000 fine and three years of supervised release, after Spells pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The bust went down July 24, 2018, when Jackson Police officers pulled Spells over for making an illegal U-turn at the intersection of Highway 80 and Robinson Street. A search of the vehicle revealed a Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol – quickly traced back as stolen. But the weapon wasn’t Spells’ biggest problem. He already had a felony conviction on his record.

Court records show Spells was previously convicted of statutory rape in Hinds County, making it illegal for him to possess any firearm. He wasn’t just carrying a gun; he was carrying a stolen gun as a convicted felon – a recipe for a serious federal charge. The feds didn’t mess around.

U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze announced the sentencing, framing it as a win for “Project EJECT,” a local initiative designed to curb violent crime. EJECT, which stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together,” is part of the broader Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Project EJECT isn’t just about locking people up, officials say. It’s a multi-pronged approach encompassing prosecution, prevention, re-entry programs, and community awareness. But make no mistake: the program’s teeth are sharp, and they’re aimed squarely at those illegally wielding firearms on Jackson’s streets. The program was reinvigorated in 2017 by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and the Jackson Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham leading the prosecution. Spells’ case is a stark reminder that possessing a firearm illegally, especially with a prior felony conviction, carries severe consequences – and in Jackson, Mississippi, the feds are actively looking for those breaking the law.