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Press Release

Gulfport Man Sentenced to Almost 4 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi

Gulfport, Miss. – Semaj Jermal Jefferson, 27, of Gulfport, was sentenced today by Senior U. S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to 46 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”). Jefferson was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine.

On August 16, 2018, Jefferson, a previously convicted felon, sold a semi-automatic rifle loaded with 10 live rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition to an individual at a Gulfport, Mississippi, residence, for $450.  Jefferson was previously convicted of burglary of a dwelling in Harrison County, Mississippi, and was therefore prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm.

Jefferson was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2019.  He pled guilty before Judge Guirola on November 13, 2019.  

The case was investigated by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.

Updated February 11, 2020

Topic
Firearms Offenses