Jenkins Pleads Guilty

A Moss Point man has pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Bayliss Morris Jenkins, 43, was taken into custody by Moss Point Police officers after a traffic stop for operating a vehicle with a switched tag on February 8, 2021. The defendant possessed two handguns in his vehicle.

Jenkins had prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, aggravated assault, and a felon in possession of a firearm. These convictions made it illegal for him to possess a firearm, and he is now facing the consequences of his actions.

Jenkins was indicted on June 15, 2021, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to this charge and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 15, 2022. Jenkins faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment. However, if Jenkins qualifies as an armed career criminal, he will face a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life.

A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Moss Point Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner is prosecuting the case.

The guilty plea is a significant step in holding Jenkins accountable for his actions. The prosecution and investigation of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to keeping the community safe from individuals who pose a threat to public safety. The case will now move forward to the sentencing phase, where Jenkins will face the consequences of his guilty plea.

The sentencing of Jenkins will be closely watched, as it will determine the severity of the punishment he will face. The minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment if he is deemed an armed career criminal is a significant penalty, and it reflects the seriousness with which the justice system takes crimes involving firearms and convicted felons. The case of Bayliss Morris Jenkins serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcing laws related to firearms and public safety.

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