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Press Release

Lauderdale Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

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

Jackson, Miss. –  Levi Gibbs, Jr., 51, of Lauderdale, Mississippi pled guilty today before U.S. Chief District Court Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Michelle Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi.

On March 27, 2020, Meridian police officers stopped a vehicle being driven by Gibbs after an officer observed Gibbs crossing over the center line of the road and speeding.  When an officer approached the passenger side of Gibbs’ car, he saw a pistol in an ankle holster on Gibbs’ right leg.  The officer checked Gibbs’ criminal record and discovered that Gibbs was a convicted felon.  In fact, Gibbs had multiple felony convictions, several of which are for various drug crimes.  Gibbs is currently under indictment from the Circuit Court of Lowndes County, Mississippi for Armed Robbery.  As a convicted felon it is against federal law for Gibbs to possess any firearm.

Gibbs will be sentenced by Judge Jordan on July 23, 2021 and faces a maximum penalty of up to ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.

The case was investigated by the Meridian Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

 

 

Updated April 15, 2021

Topic
Firearms Offenses