Jackson County Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Dealing in Firearms Without a License

Gulfport, Miss. – Waso Nam Flanagan, 53, of Jackson County, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for dealing in firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, and Special Agent-in-Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Flanagan was also ordered to pay $3100 fine and special assessment as well as $220 in restitution.

Flanagan pled guilty before Judge Ozerden on June 15, 2020.

On September 27, 2019, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Flanagan on an outstanding felony warrant for possession of stolen firearms. Flanagan was on bond for an aggravated assault charge at the time.  When investigators found and arrested Flanagan, they also found baggies of marijuana and methamphetamine.            

The ATF adopted the case for federal prosecution and determined that Flanagan, who was a regular user of narcotics, had been selling firearms and drugs.  Flanagan used multiple pawn shops in Jackson and Harrison counties to pawn or sell firearms he bought “off of the street,” and the ATF learned that two of the firearms he purchased on the street, and then sold, had been stolen.

ATF examined firearms pawned by Flanagan to local area pawn shops.  When Flanagan pawned firearms, he did not go back to redeem the pawns and was effectively selling the firearms.  ATF also obtained transaction documents and, determined that the firearms had traveled in interstate commerce, and were in good condition.  The ATF also researched official records and confirmed that Flanagan had never had a license to deal in firearms.

U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation of the ATF and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris was the prosecutor for the case.