Magnolia Man Stuck with 10 Years for Firearm Felony

Magnolia Man Stuck with 10 Years for Firearm Felony

Edward Dewayne Cockerham, a 35-year-old man from Magnolia, Mississippi, will spend the next decade behind bars after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Cockerham was pulled over by Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents and a Pike County Sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop. What they found was a firearm in the possession of a man with a prior felony conviction for failing to support minor children.

Cockerham was on supervised probation at the time of the traffic stop and now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine his actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation into Cockerham’s activities was a collaborative effort between the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway led the prosecution of Cockerham’s case, which is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. The program aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, and setting strategic enforcement priorities.

Cockerham is scheduled to be sentenced on August 1, 2024. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. As Cockerham prepares to face his fate, the people of Magnolia and beyond can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their streets are a little bit safer.

The Department of Justice’s commitment to keeping communities safe is unwavering. With initiatives like PSN and strong partnerships with local law enforcement, the fight against violent crime and gun violence will continue to be a top priority.