Marcus Delars Branson, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Mississippi 2024

JACKSON, MS – Marcus Delars Branson, 27, of Jackson, Mississippi, is looking at a lengthy federal prison sentence after admitting to illegally possessing a firearm. The bust came not from a street sweep or undercover operation, but during a routine check by his probation officer.

According to court documents, U.S. Probation Officers discovered the firearm at Branson’s residence. This wasn’t a first offense. Branson already had a felony conviction on his record – bank robbery – which legally barred him from owning or possessing any firearms. He was on supervised release at the time of the discovery, adding another layer of violation to the crime.

A federal grand jury indicted Branson on July 25, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pled guilty to the charge, acknowledging his prohibited status and the illegal possession. While the feds aren’t detailing the type of firearm seized, the charge itself carries a hefty penalty.

Branson now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars. The actual sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge on July 30, 2024, who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Expect a hard look at his prior criminal history during sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Joshua Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), jointly announced the guilty plea. The ATF spearheaded the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen handling the prosecution.

Federal officials are framing this case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities, focusing on strategic enforcement and community-based prevention programs. Whether this program will actually make a dent in Jackson’s crime rate remains to be seen, but for Marcus Branson, it’s already meant a guilty plea and a date with a judge.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Weapons

Edward Dewayne Cockerham, Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon, Mississippi 2024

Apr 8, 2026

Weapons

Luke Czekalski, Machine Gun and Silencer Possession, New Hampshire 2024

Jun 3, 2024

Weapons

Joshua D. Hughes, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Missouri 2017

Jun 6, 2017

Weapons

Aaron Clifford Olson, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Montana 2023

Apr 9, 2026