Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Jackson, Miss – Eddie Terrell Adams, 39, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kristi H. Johnson to 46 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Jackson Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

On March 10, 2018, officers with the Jackson Police Department stopped a car with an expired license plate. During the traffic stop, Adams became agitated and told officers they would have to catch him. Adams then fled from the traffic stop. After a brief car pursuit, Adams attempted to run inside of an apartment but was stopped and apprehended by police at the front door. Just before he was apprehended, Adams opened the apartment door and tossed a handgun behind the door. Officers soon determined that Adams was previously convicted of aggravated assault and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.

On January 25, 2019, Adams was charged in a federal criminal indictment with possessing a firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony crime. Adams pled guilty on October10, 2019.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway.

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.

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