Joshua Rain Collins, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, Mississippi 2021

Gulfport Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges

Gulfport, Miss – Joshua Rain Collins, 29, of Hancock County, entered a guilty plea today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Theilhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On September 26, 2019, Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies received information that Collins and a female were in possession of narcotics and a firearm at a hotel on Hwy 49 in Gulfport. They found Collins with a backpack containing approximately 17 grams of methamphetamine and a Smith & Wesson handgun. Collins admitted the handgun was protection. DEA lab reports document the methamphetamine had a purity level of 99% for 16.58 grams of pure methamphetamine.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

Judge Ozerden will sentence Collins on January 15, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. He faces a minimum of 5 years in prison on the charge. He further faces fines up to $250,000 and 5 years of supervised release.

Collins is currently in custody awaiting sentencing. His guilty plea comes after a thorough investigation by law enforcement agencies in the region.

This case is a prime example of the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes in the Gulf Coast region. The collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies is crucial in bringing criminals to justice and making our communities safer.

The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Together, we can make a difference and keep our communities free from crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/hancock-county-man-pleads-guilty-firearms-charges