A Starkville resident, Antonio Johnson, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for violating firearms laws. According to court documents, the 49-year-old pled guilty to possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon and using them in furtherance of drug trafficking. U.S. District Judge Debra M. Brown handed down the sentence, which includes five years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner commented on the case, stating: "The public has every right to expect repeat offenders to receive significant sentences, and this defendant will now have 10 years in a federal prison to reconsider his actions." He acknowledged the collaboration between Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims and agencies like the FBI, ATF, and Starkville Police Department in achieving justice.
Joshua Jackson from ATF New Orleans emphasized their mission of ensuring community safety by holding accountable those who contribute to gun violence and drug-related crimes. "To convicted felons and others making our streets unsafe with gun violence and drugs – law enforcement is here," he said.
Robert Eikhoff from the FBI Jackson Field Office reinforced this stance by stating that individuals involved in illegal firearm possession for drug trafficking are threats that will be pursued aggressively through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Chief Mark Ballard of the Starkville Police Department expressed gratitude for the effective cooperation among law enforcement agencies that contributed to making their community safer.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Starkville Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims under PSN's strategy aimed at reducing violent crime through strategic enforcement priorities and fostering trust within communities.