Hinds County Man Sentenced under Project EJECT to over Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearm

Jackson, Miss. – Herbert Thomas, 41, of Jackson, was sentenced today before Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan to 30 months confinement, three years of supervised release, and a $1500 fine, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Thomas was previously convicted of felonious motor vehicle theft and felony fleeing from a law enforcement officer in Hinds County in 2009. On January 23, 2018, Thomas fled from Jackson Police Department officers, first in his vehicle and then on foot, before ultimately being subdued by law enforcement.  Upon a subsequent inventory of his vehicle, a firearm was located.  When interviewed, Thomas admitted to both knowingly possessing the firearm as well as to his prior felony conviction.

Thomas pled guilty before Chief Judge Jordan on September 4, 2019.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Jackson Police Department investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lynn Murray and Andrew W. Eichner.