Saucier Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm

Gulfport, Miss. –Tyler Bachtel, 23, of Saucier, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, to 78 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Bachtel was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

On November 18, 2017, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department arrested Bachtel after he refused to yield to a deputy who initiated a traffic stop. During the deputy’s pursuit of Bachtel’s vehicle, Bachtel threw a shotgun out of the window. Bachtel jumped out of the vehicle while it was still moving, and was arrested while he attempted to flee. Bachtel had been previously convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance in Harrison County Circuit Court.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Nobile.