Jacquis LaShawn Houston, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Mississippi 2020

MERIDIAN, MS – Jacquis LaShawn Houston, 27, is looking at a decade behind bars after admitting he illegally possessed a handgun, federal prosecutors announced Monday. The Meridian resident pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a charge stemming from a 2020 traffic stop.

The incident unfolded on March 16, 2020, when a Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over the vehicle Houston was riding in. According to court documents, Houston panicked and tossed a 9mm caliber pistol out the window. The deputy recovered the weapon, and a check quickly revealed Houston’s criminal history – disqualifying him from legally owning any firearm.

Houston’s past remains largely undisclosed in the official release, but federal law is clear: a prior felony conviction strips an individual of their Second Amendment rights. The ATF, along with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, spearheaded the investigation, building the case that ultimately led to the guilty plea. Details of the original felony conviction have not been released.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi emphasized that the prosecution is part of the broader “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative. PSN, a Department of Justice program, aims to reduce violent crime by targeting the most dangerous offenders and bolstering community-based prevention efforts. The program focuses on data-driven strategies and partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham will be arguing for a stiff sentence when Houston appears before a federal district judge on February 28, 2024. While the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, the final sentence will depend on a number of factors, including sentencing guidelines and Houston’s criminal history. The ATF’s Joshua Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, also made a statement confirming the agency’s commitment to keeping firearms out of the hands of those prohibited by law.

This case is another example of the ATF’s relentless pursuit of illegal firearms trafficking and those who attempt to circumvent the law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing in February. The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office has not yet responded to requests for further comment regarding the initial traffic stop or the circumstances surrounding the discarded weapon.

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