U.S. Attorney Davis Announces Federal Indictments Resulting from Jackson Violent Crime Initiative

Jackson, Miss – Five individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury this week as part of a new Jackson Violent Crime Initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in the City of Jackson, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis.

The following individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury on August 4, 2015:

Recardeo Harris, age 32, of Jackson, was charged with possessing a firearm on June 5, 2015, after having been previously convicted of a felony.

James Homan, age 33, of Jackson, was charged with possessing a firearm on June 22, 2015, after having been previously convicted of a felony.

Len Arthur Bracey, age 38, of Jackson was charged with possessing a firearm on December 29, 2013, after having been previously convicted of a felony.

Aarron Harris, age 29, of Byram, was charged with possessing a firearm on July 4, 2015, after having been previously convicted of a felony.

Maurice King, age 29, of Jackson, was charged with three counts of possessing a firearm on August 1, 2014, September 20, 2014, and March 2, 2015, after having been previously convicted of a felony.

The maximum penalty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is ten years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

Additional defendants previously indicted as a result of the Jackson Violent Crime Initiative include:

Antonio Anderson, age 22, of Jackson, was indicted on May 20, 2015, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pled guilty on July 23, 2015, and will be sentenced on October 15, 2015. He faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Jarvis Durr, age 22, of Crystal Springs, was indicted on May 20, 2015, for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He is currently scheduled for trial on November 3, 2015. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison for carjacking and a maximum of life in prison for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and a maximum $250,000 fine on each charge.

Richard Barnes, age 29, of Byram, was indicted on June 23, 2015, for possessing a firearm on April 10, 2015, after having previously been convicted of a felony. He is currently scheduled for trial on September 1, 2015. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Ira McGruder, age 23, of Jackson, was indicted on June 23, 2015, for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He is scheduled for trial on September 1, 2015. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison for carjacking and a maximum of life in prison for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and a maximum $250,000 fine on each charge.

Demario Webster, age 19, of Jackson, was indicted on June 23, 2015, for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He is scheduled for trial on September 1, 2015. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison for carjacking and a maximum of life in prison for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and a maximum $250,000 fine on each charge.

The Jackson Violent Crime Initiative is a joint initiative between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who are working together to reduce violent crime in the city of Jackson and to remove violent offenders from the streets of this community. The Initiative is an ongoing operation aimed at making the streets of Jackson and the surrounding communities safe for all citizens. Jackson Violent Crime Initiative partners include the Jackson Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Secret Service.

The public is reminded that an indictment is a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.