JACKSON, MISS. – Erick Moreno, a 44-year-old man hailing from Colorado, will spend the next twelve years behind bars after being sentenced September 15, 2025, for the simple act of possessing a firearm – an act that landed him back in federal court as a convicted felon. The sentence, handed down in the Southern District of Mississippi, underscores the relentless pursuit of repeat offenders and the zero-tolerance policy for those who flout gun laws.
The bust originated from a routine traffic stop in Warren County. It wasn’t the reason for the stop that mattered, but what officers discovered during the encounter: a firearm in Moreno’s possession. What makes this case particularly damning is that Moreno wasn’t just any convicted felon; he was already on federal supervised release for a prior conviction… for possessing a firearm. The system gave him a chance, and he immediately spit in its face.
Court documents reveal Moreno was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2024, formally charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He wasted no time, pleading guilty on June 10, 2025, likely recognizing the overwhelming evidence stacked against him. Federal and Mississippi state laws explicitly prohibit convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms, a rule Moreno clearly disregarded.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi didn’t mince words when announcing the sentence, signaling a firm stance against gun crime. ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson echoed that sentiment, highlighting the agency’s commitment to keeping illegal weapons off the streets. This wasn’t a complex investigation; it was a straightforward case of a criminal breaking the law and facing the consequences.
The investigation was a joint effort between the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber Jones skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the twelve-year sentence. While a single conviction won’t solve the problem, it sends a message: if you’re a felon with a gun, you will be caught, and you will pay the price.
This case falls under the umbrella of Operation Take Back America, a sprawling nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling cartels, eliminating transnational criminal organizations, and tackling violent crime. It streamlines resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), illustrating the federal government’s broad strategy to combat criminal activity. While the stated goals are sweeping, this Moreno conviction demonstrates a focused application of those resources, one perp at a time.
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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