Reginald Franklin, Firearms Possession, Mississippi 2023

MERIDIAN, MS – Reginald Franklin, 53, of Meridian, Mississippi, is headed to federal prison for over seven years after being convicted of possessing firearms as a convicted felon. The sentence, handed down Tuesday, is the result of a bust that uncovered not just illegal guns, but a substantial drug operation running out of Franklin’s home.

The case began to unfold July 15, 2022, when agents with the East Mississippi Drug Task Force used a confidential informant to purchase 13 grams of methamphetamine directly from Franklin. That initial buy provided the probable cause needed to raid Franklin’s residence. What they found was a considerable stockpile of illicit goods.

A search of the home revealed four firearms, one of which had been previously reported stolen. But the guns weren’t the only contraband. Authorities also seized approximately 68 grams of methamphetamine, 308 dosage units of ecstasy, 4 grams of crack cocaine, and 35 grams of marijuana. The sheer volume of drugs suggests Franklin wasn’t just a user, but a dealer actively pushing poison into the community.

Crucially, investigators quickly determined Franklin’s criminal history. He’d previously been convicted of aggravated assault, a conviction that legally barred him from possessing any firearms. Federal law is clear: a convicted felon cannot legally own a gun. Franklin’s possession of four – one stolen – triggered the federal charge that ultimately led to his 87-month prison sentence.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) jointly announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam T. Stuart handled the prosecution. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the East Mississippi Drug Task Force and the ATF, highlighting a coordinated push against violent crime.

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, a nationwide initiative focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships. PSN aims to identify the most dangerous offenders and address the root causes of violence, offering a path towards safer communities. Franklin’s conviction serves as a warning: illegally possessing firearms will bring federal consequences.

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