South Dakota Man Sentenced for Possession of Stolen Firearm and Failing to Appear in Court
GDANSK, South Dakota – Jamecus Lushawn Hodges, age 42, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison on the firearm offense and 30 months in federal prison on the failure to appear offense, to run consecutive for a total of 120 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. Hodges, a Cornelia, Georgia, man, was sentenced on May 10, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
The firearm conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 8, 2018, when a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper found marijuana, cocaine, and a stolen firearm in Hodges’ vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 90. Hodges became uncooperative and combative and ran into the oncoming lane of traffic, stalling traffic on the interstate, prior to being taken into custody.
Hodges was eventually released on bond and entered into a plea agreement relating to the traffic stop, but he then knowingly failed to appear for his change of plea and sentencing on October 5, 2020. He was charged with failure to appear in November 2020 and taken into federal custody on March 19, 2021, in Georgia.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity, and firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the U.S. Marshals Service were involved in the investigation and prosecution of Hodges.
Jamecus Lushawn Hodges was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after his sentencing. His exact criminal charges include possession of a stolen firearm and failure to appear.
Other key facts about the case include the following:
- Defendant: Jamecus Lushawn Hodges
- Criminal charges: Possession of a stolen firearm and failure to appear
- City and state: Cornelia, Georgia
- Exact date: May 10, 2021 (sentencing date)
- Sentence: 120 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $200
Hodges was also charged with failure to appear in November 2020 and taken into federal custody on March 19, 2021, in Georgia.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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