U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Dedric Dwayne Rivers, a 52-year-old resident of Moscow, Idaho, to 18 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition after being convicted of a felony. Rivers had entered a guilty plea on October 22, 2024.
Court documents reveal that on April 27, 2024, Rivers arrived at Jacksonville International Airport intending to board a flight to Idaho. During routine luggage screening, Transportation Security Administration officers discovered an undeclared firearm and ammunition in a suitcase registered under Rivers' name. Upon further inspection, law enforcement officials found an FN509 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing ten rounds of live ammunition inside the gun case. Additionally, three extended magazines loaded with 70 rounds were found distributed among them.
In an initial interview with authorities, Rivers claimed he believed the gun case only contained ammunition. However, he later admitted in a phone call to his mother that he had previously traveled with a firearm to Jacksonville, Florida. Rivers' criminal history includes convictions for kidnapping, armed robbery, and aggravated assault, which legally prohibit him from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Jacksonville Airport Authority, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Milliron prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department's strategy focuses on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.