MERIDIAN, MS – Waltravious Leeandre Watson, 31, of Meridian, Mississippi, is facing a potential decade behind bars after admitting to illegally possessing firearms. The conviction comes after authorities discovered a cache of weapons at his residence three years ago.
On February 19, 2020, officers with the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Watson’s home. The search yielded a shocking nine firearms, all in the possession of a man already prohibited from owning them. Watson had previously been convicted of burglary of a dwelling, a felony that disqualifies him from legally possessing any firearm under federal law.
U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca of the Southern District of Mississippi announced the guilty plea today, alongside Kurt H. Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case highlights the ongoing effort to keep guns out of the hands of those with a history of violent crime.
While the maximum sentence for possession of firearms by a convicted felon is 10 years in prison, the final decision rests with the federal district judge. Factors considered will include the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory provisions. Sentencing is currently scheduled for June 20, 2023.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Allen and Charles W. Kirkham are prosecuting the case, underscoring the Department of Justice’s commitment to tackling violent crime.
This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a joint federal, state, and local initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses on targeting the most dangerous offenders while simultaneously investing in prevention and re-entry programs, seeking long-term solutions to community safety. The program, officials say, is data-driven and proven effective in curbing violence.
Related Federal Cases
- Waltravious Watson, Gun Possession, Meridian MS, 2023 · Mississippi
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- Jacquis Houston, Gun Possession, Meridian MS, 2023 · Mississippi
- Daniel Mireles-Reyna, Stolen Gun Possession, MS, 2023 · Mississippi
- Steven Eugene Johnson, Gun and Homemade Silencer Possession, TN 2018 · Ohio
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