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Press Release

Athens Man Pleads Guilty To Being Felon In Possession Of A Firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

TYLER, TX – United States Attorney John M. Bales announced today that
Frankie Darrell Durant a 50 year old Athens, Texas man, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm during a hearing before United States Magistrate Judith K. Guthrie.

            On September 12, 2012, Durantwasindicted by a federal grand jury on a 1 count indictment.  According to information presented in court, on or about July 26, 2011, Durant possessed three firearms in Smith County, Texas. The firearms were located in a storage room that was rented by Durant.  Durant also admitted that the he previously had been convicted of possession of a controlled substance, a felony offense, in 2007.

            Durantfaces no more than 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a term of not more than 3 years of supervised release. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

            This case is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.

Updated March 12, 2015