HATTIESBURG, MS – Jamarquis Vasean Tate, 25, of Hattiesburg is facing a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The bust unfolded after a disturbance call led police to a vehicle Tate was riding in back in December 2021.
According to court documents, Hattiesburg Police responded to a reported disturbance at a local hotel. When officers initiated a traffic stop, Tate bolted, triggering a foot chase. During the pursuit, Tate tossed a handgun, the action clearly captured on video. He was apprehended, and the firearm recovered.
The catch? Tate isn’t allowed to have a gun. He’s a convicted felon, and federal law explicitly prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) took the lead on the investigation, working alongside the Hattiesburg Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the ATF announced the guilty plea this week. While a sentencing date is set for October 4, 2023, the ultimate penalty rests with a federal district judge, who will consider sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen is prosecuting the case, which falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This federal initiative aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on building community trust, supporting violence prevention groups, and strategic enforcement.
Tate now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. While a guilty plea doesn’t guarantee the maximum, it’s a significant step towards accountability for a man caught with a firearm he shouldn’t have had. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing hearing in October.
Related Federal Cases
- Jamarquis Tate, Illegal Firearm Possession, Hattiesburg MS, 2023 · Mississippi
- Daniel Mireles-Reyna, Stolen Gun Possession, MS, 2023 · Mississippi
- Steven Eugene Johnson, Gun and Homemade Silencer Possession, TN 2018 · Ohio
- Jermaine Franklin, Gun Possession, MS 2024 · Maine
- Courtney Kentrell Chapman, Gun Possession, MS 2024 · Mississippi
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