A Meridian man was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in prison for possession of a machinegun, Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives announced in a news release.

 

According to court documents, Demetriz Romelo Hopson, 25, was found by law enforcement officers in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun that had been equipped with a machinegun conversion device or “switch” while Hopson was attending a football game on the campus of Meridian High School. Hopson pleaded guilty to the charged on Jan. 8.

 

The ATF investigated the case with assistance from the Meridian Schools Police Department.

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Goff prosecuted the case.

 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.