Hancock County Man Gets 10 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Ammunition

Gulfport, Miss – William Rex Roderick, Jr., 30, of Hancock County, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Roderick was also ordered to pay a $5000 fine.    

Roderick has previous convictions for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and transfer of controlled substances in Hancock County in 2015 and 2017.  He was on supervised release with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) at the time of the federal charge.  During an MDOC home visit, Roderick was found in possession of ammunition.

A subsequent investigation and search of Roderick’s cell phone by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives discovered that Roderick was buying and selling firearms to known Simon City Royals gang members.  Through the investigation, ATF determined Roderick had at least 6 firearms from December 28, 2017 through May 2018, including a .22 caliber assault rifle with 2 thirty round magazines.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.