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Press Release

Jefferson County felon sentenced for federal gun violation

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

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.

Kemien Sharod Taylor, 51, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on December 19, 2024.

According to information presented in court, in November of 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on 12th Street in Port Arthur, where Taylor had previously sold crack cocaine. During the search, Taylor directed officers to a firearm in a bedroom closet.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Houston.  In addition to the stolen firearm, detectives also located a quantity of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia to include Pyrex mixing bowls with cocaine residue and digital scales with cocaine residue.  Further investigation revealed Taylor to be a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.

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Updated December 19, 2024

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses