Smith County Man Sentenced for Possessing Firearm after Family Violence Conviction

TYLER, Texas – A 43-year-old Whitehouse, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Robert Dean Jackson pleaded guilty on Nov. 4, 2014, to being a misdemeanant family violence in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis.

According to information presented in court, on June 19, 2014, state and federal agents executed an arrest warrant for Jackson at his residence in Whitehouse, Texas.  Jackson was located on the premises and taken into custody.  Jackson’s common-law wife was also present and gave agents consent to search the residence.  A search of the home revealed paraphernalia associated with the use of methamphetamine, three firearms and approximately 30 rounds of ammunition.  Further investigation revealed Jackson had been previously convicted of assault family violence on Jan. 23, 2009 in Smith County, Texas.  As such, Jackson is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

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