Nacogdoches County Felon Sentenced For Federal Firearms Violations

 BEAUMONT, Texas - A 31-year-old Nacogdoches, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

                Lincoln Jerome Watts pleaded guilty on Nov. 19, 2012, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, on Nov. 13, 2011, law enforcement authorities responding to a report of a disturbance involving a weapon encountered Watts in the 100 block of Zula Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.  Watts consented to a search and was arrested after an officer discovered a loaded pistol in Watts’ front pants pocket. Further investigation revealed Watts was a convicted felon having been found guilty of aggravated robbery in  Nacogdoches County; possession of a firearm while under indictment in the Eastern District of Texas; possession of a stolen firearm in the Eastern District of Texas; and burglary of a federal firearms licensee in the Eastern District of Texas, all in 2001.  Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.  Watts was indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 3, 2012. 
This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Nacogdoches Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte.