Waltravious Leeandre Watson, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Mississippi 2023

MERIDIAN, MS – Waltravious Leeandre Watson, 31, is headed to federal prison for seven years and three months after a raid on his home uncovered a small arsenal, despite a prior burglary conviction that already stripped him of his right to possess firearms. The sentencing, handed down Wednesday, sends a clear message – Mississippi won’t be a haven for armed felons.

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 residence. What they found wasn’t a single illegally held handgun, but a cache of nine firearms. The discovery immediately flagged Watson as a serious offender, violating federal law prohibiting convicted felons from owning guns.

Watson, already carrying a mark from a prior burglary of a dwelling conviction, pled guilty on March 21, 2023, to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The guilty plea likely offered a slightly reduced sentence, but the judge clearly wasn’t swayed by attempts at leniency. The sheer number of weapons seized spoke volumes, painting a picture of a man brazenly disregarding the law.

U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson announced the sentencing, framing it as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) – a federal program designed to target the most violent offenders and reduce crime through coordinated law enforcement efforts. PSN, while often touted as a success, relies on boots-on-the-ground work like the raid that caught Watson.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Allen and Charles W. Kirkham drove the prosecution, ensuring Watson faced the full weight of the law. The 87-month sentence, while significant, barely scratches the surface of the potential danger posed by a felon stockpiling firearms. It remains to be seen if this conviction will truly deter others from similar behavior.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) jointly investigated the case, highlighting the crucial importance of interagency cooperation in tackling gun crime. While this case is closed, the ATF continues to relentlessly pursue those who illegally obtain and possess firearms, aiming to keep weapons out of the hands of those who would do harm.

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