Press Release
Hancock County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi
Previously Convicted Felon Also Bought, Sold Firearms to Simon City Royals Gang Members
Gulfport, Miss. – William Rex Roderick, Jr., 30, of Hancock County, entered a guilty plea today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 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 has previous convictions for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and transfer of controlled substances in Hancock County in 2015 and 2017. Roderick was on supervised release with MDOC at the time of the current federal charge. As a result of a May 14, 2018, 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.
Roderick will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on March 19, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Updated December 19, 2018
Topic
Firearms Offenses
Component