Moss Point Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Unregistered Firearm

Gulfport, Miss. – James Hurshell Dugger, 78, of Moss Point, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola to 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of an unregistered firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On August 11, 2017, deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to Dugger’s home after Dugger shot a man during an altercation.  Upon searching Dugger’s home, deputies found 65 firearms, including silencers, a sawed-off rifle a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and firearms that were not registered in the National Firearms Registry.  He also had over 6,000 rounds of ammunition.

Dugger has prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of unregistered firearms.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.