Pascagoula Man Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Gulfport, Miss. – Walter Edward Bohl, 64, of Pascagoula, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for knowingly possessing a firearm after having been committed to a mental institution, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”).

On May 20, 2020, ATF agents executed a federal search warrant at Bohl’s residence in Pascagoula, where Bohl was found to be in possession of a Smith and Wesson, Model M&P 15, 5.56 caliber Rifle. Bohl was prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, having been previously committed to a mental institution.

Bohl was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 23, 2020.  He pled guilty before Judge Ozerden on August 27, 2020.

This case was investigated by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.