A Jackson resident, Joshua Hart, has been sentenced to 25 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. This decision follows an incident on October 11, 2021, when Hart was found with a firearm and ammunition during a police stop by the Jackson Police Department. Officers approached his vehicle after noticing erratic driving behavior. At that time, Hart was a passenger and had an outstanding warrant and a previous felony conviction for aggravated robbery in Texas.
Following the incident, Hart faced indictment by a federal grand jury on November 16, 2021. He entered a guilty plea nearly three years later on September 9, 2024.
The sentencing announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi alongside Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The investigation involved collaboration between the FBI and the Jackson Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen led the prosecution of this case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies and community organizations. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN's strategy emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention initiatives, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes.