Previously Convicted Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms

Hattiesburg, Miss. – Joe Lamont Gholar, 46, formerly of Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 48 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, Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Special Agent-in-Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

On June 9, 2015, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration Hattiesburg High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) team served a search warrant at a residence where Gholar was living.   Gholar was present during the search, and 35 rounds of .380 ammunition were found in his room.  A .380 caliber pistol was found in a vehicle for which Gholar was the only driver, and a shotgun and rifle belonging to Gholar were also found on the premises.   Gholar was previously convicted in the Western District of Texas for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.    

Gholar was indicted on October 18, 2017 for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He pled guilty before Judge Starrett on February 1, 2018.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.   It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.