Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearm in Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Miss. – In a shocking turn of events, Joe Lamont Gholar, a 45-year-old convicted felon, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the Western District of Mississippi on April 17, 2018.
The charges stem from a search warrant served by the Drug Enforcement Administration Hattiesburg High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area team at Gholar’s residence in Jefferson Davis County on June 9, 2015.
During the search, agents discovered 35 rounds of .380 ammunition in Gholar’s room, a .380 caliber pistol in a vehicle driven by Gholar, and a shotgun and rifle belonging to Gholar on the premises.
Gholar, a convicted felon, had previously been convicted of felony possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Gholar has admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris.
Gholar will be sentenced by Judge Keith Starrett on April 17, 2018, at 9:45 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The conviction is a stark reminder of the consequences of breaking the law, particularly for those with prior convictions.
The case highlights the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to keep communities safe and the need for individuals to respect the law and avoid engaging in illegal activities.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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