Skip to main content
Press Release

Pascagoula Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi

Gulfport, Miss. – Byron Ratliff, Jr., 21, of Pascagoula, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 2 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Ratliff was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.

On April 5, 2018, officers with the Pascagoula Police Department responded to a shots fired report. Based on witness descriptions of the car involved, police identified Ratliff as the shooter, who along with two others in the car, were in possession of marijuana and two firearms. Both guns were stolen from Long Beach, Mississippi, just a few hours before the shooting incident. Ratliff admitted to officers that he had been smoking marijuana every day for several years.

Pascagoula Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

 

Updated October 5, 2018

Topic
Firearms Offenses