Javonte Lamar Butler, Stealing a Firearm, Mississippi 2019

Natchez, Mississippi - In a brazen act of theft, Javonte Lamar Butler, 20, of Natchez, stole a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer. According to court documents, Butler visited Peddlers Antique Pawn and Salvage, a federally licensed reseller of firearms, on December 14, 2018.

While a store employee assisted two other persons, Butler reached into a glass display case, removed a pistol, and left the store without lawfully purchasing it. This blatant disregard for the law has landed Butler in hot water, as he now faces the consequences of his actions.

Butler was subsequently indicted on June 14, 2019 for stealing a firearm from a business licensed to sell firearms. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway, who is working diligently to ensure that justice is served.

The investigation into this case was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who worked tirelessly to gather evidence and build a strong case against Butler.

This case is part of Project EJECT, a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in the Southern District of Mississippi. Project EJECT is a holistic approach that involves prosecution, prevention, re-entry, and awareness to combat violent crime and make our communities safer.

Butler will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette, III on November 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Natchez. He faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is committed to working with law enforcement and the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. This case is a reminder that stealing a firearm from a licensed dealer is a serious offense that will not be tolerated.

As part of the U.S. Attorney's Office's renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, Project EJECT is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/natchez-man-pleads-guilty-under-project-eject-stealing-firearm-licensed-firearms-dealer