A Pelahatchie resident, Brad O’Neal Lee, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Court documents revealed that Lee, aged 41, sold firearms to a pawn shop located in Jackson, Mississippi. This sale prompted an alert to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which subsequently investigated the matter.
Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. At the time of the offense, Lee had prior felony convictions for residential burglary, false pretense, and uttering a forgery. He had served several years in state prison for these offenses.
Lee was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 6, 2023. He entered a guilty plea on October 3, 2024.
The announcement of Lee's sentencing was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon alongside Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen led the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The program emphasizes fostering trust within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts by community-based organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes to enhance public safety.