Jackson Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Jackson, Miss. –  Justin Jamal Williams, 29, of Jackson, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 120 months in federal prison, followed by 3 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. Williams was also ordered to pay a $1,500.00 fine.

On March 17, 2018, a Jackson Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a car with no license plate.  The officer noticed that Williams, who was sitting in the back seat of the car, had a suspicious bulge in the leg of his pants and he was moving around nervously.  When the officer asked Williams to step out of the car, he got out and attempted to push past the officer and run.  Williams was immediately taken into custody, and a firearm was found on him.  A second firearm belonging to Williams was found inside the vehicle.

Williams has prior felony convictions in Hinds County for burglary of a dwelling, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.

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). 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. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.