Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Jackson, Miss. – Marlon Monta Williams, 27, of Jackson, Mississippi, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge David C. Bramlette III to 33 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 and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.  Williams was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.

On July 10, 2017, shortly after midnight, Williams was driving a car which had a broken headlight.  A Hinds County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the malfunctioning headlight while on patrol.  When the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop using lights and siren, Williams refused to stop.  Williams eventually stopped the vehicle and gave the Deputy false identifying information.  An assault-style rifle with a large capacity magazine was in plain view on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. 

Williams was eventually correctly identified and it was discovered that he had been previously convicted of the felony offense of burglary of a dwelling in Hinds County, Mississippi. During the course of the investigation, officers learned that Williams was on probation through the Mississippi Department of Corrections at the time of the incident.  The investigation also showed that the rifle had been stolen the previous year. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hinds County Sherriff’s Department. It was 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.