Monroe County Man Convicted of Federal Gun and Drug Crimes

OXFORD – A Monroe County man was convicted Tuesday night of a federal gun violation and drug trafficking crimes following a two-day jury trial presided over by Senior US District Judge Neal Biggers.  Jerry Lee Quinn, 50, formerly of Aberdeen and West Point, was found guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and Distribution of a Controlled Substance.  The announcement regarding Quinn’s conviction was made by Joseph Frank, Supervisory Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Oxford, and U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar.  

Information presented during the trial revealed that Quinn was a convicted felon who was on the run from law enforcement with several outstanding arrest warrants in September of 2013.  During an investigation into Quinn’s whereabouts, investigators obtained information on the night of September 11, 2013, that Quinn was at a residence in Southaven, Mississippi, and surrounded the house in an attempt to apprehend Quinn.  Quinn fled the residence, but was eventually apprehended after a struggle with Desoto County Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force.  During a search of bags belonging to Quinn that were found at the residence, officers located two loaded firearms, ammunition, and marijuana packaged for sale.

Following the verdict, U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar praised investigators for their joint efforts to apprehend Quinn, and reiterated the commitment of his office to hold accountable those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods through violence, drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.  Lamar remarked, “This investigation and today’s verdict are the result of a collaborative and targeted effort by local and federal law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our communities.  We are committed to doing everything possible to keep our neighborhoods, towns and cities safe and when law enforcement agencies work together, we can hold accountable those individuals who violate the law and threaten the safety of our residents. We will continue to work diligently with our local, state and federal partners to enforce the federal firearms laws and to see that individuals who violate those laws are held accountable.”  

The investigation, arrest and prosecution of Quinn was the result of a joint Federal and State investigation by ATF, the US Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, Desoto County Sheriff’s Office, Southaven Police Department and Olive Branch Police Department.  The case was prosecuted as a part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative by AUSA Robert Mims and AUSA Susan Bradley.

***