Department of Justice

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jimmy L. Harris, Jr., 43, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a weapon. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Harris had five previous felony drug and firearm convictions in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2011, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. On August 2, 2022, a Rochester Police officer spotted a blue Nissan Sentra at the intersection of Avenue D and Hudson Avenue, which the officer recognized from an officer safety bulletin. The bulletin advised that the vehicle was suspected of being involved in two recent Rochester shooting incidents, Harris was suspected to be driving the Nissan, he was believed to possess a pistol, and he did not have a valid driver’s license. After calling for backup, the officer approached Harris in a nearby store parking lot. Despite being commanded to stop, Harris ran but was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. Harris physically resisted being taken into custody causing another officer to sustain a cut on his arm that required stitches. During a search of the Nissan, officers located a 9mm pistol and 31 rounds of ammunition.

Harris made an initial appearance on August 4, 2022, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and remains in custody. His next court date is September 15, 2022.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.