Jackson Man Sentenced to 12 Months in Prison under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Jackson, Miss. – Arthur Lee Harris, Jr., 30, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to twelve months in federal 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 Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Harris was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

On August 22, 2018, Jackson Police officers stopped the vehicle Harris was driving at an administrative check point. Harris was unable to produce proof of insurance or a driver’s license. He was directed to exit the vehicle and officers observed a pistol in the cup holder of the driver’s door. Harris admitted it was his pistol. Subsequent to a background check, Harris was placed under arrest for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He has a prior felony conviction in Hinds County for statutory rape.  

On November 6, 2018, Harris was charged in a federal criminal indictment for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  He pled guilty before Judge Reeves on February 15, 2019.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn Murray.

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.