JACKSON – United States Attorney Todd W. Gee announced Tuesday the results of efforts to increase federal prosecutions of violent criminals, narcotics traffickers and others during fiscal year 2024.  Specifically, during fiscal year 2024, which began Oct. 1, 2023, and ended Sept. 30, 2024, prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi charged approximately 315 cases, an increase of approximately 13% over the prior fiscal year, and approximately 451 defendants, an increase of approximately 28% over the prior fiscal year.

The increase in prosecutions is attributable, in part, to the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, Gee said in a news release announcing the increase in charges.  PSN is an initiative to bring federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and the communities they serve, together to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

As part of the PSN program, federal prosecutors meet regularly with law enforcement agencies and other partners in Jackson, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Gulfport and elsewhere in order to review local arrests that may be suitable for prosecution in federal court, discuss efforts to investigate and prosecute violent offenders and take other steps to reduce violent crime.

In addition to increasing the overall number of cases and defendants charged in fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s PSN program helped increase the number of firearms-related cases filed by approximately 21%, and tripled the number of cases filed involving illegal machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches” or “auto sears,” which convert semi-automatic handguns and other firearms into fully automatic weapons

“Our office is working hard with federal, state, and local partners to reduce violent crime, narcotics trafficking and other criminal activity throughout the Southern District of Mississippi,” said Gee. “Violent criminals and drug traffickers need to get the message: move on to other careers, or get ready to spend a large portion of your life in federal prison.”

Some of the case highlights from the PSN program and other violent crime and narcotics trafficking prosecutions in fiscal year 2024 include the following:

U.S. v. Kylin Russell

A video went viral in early 2024 in the Jackson area that showed a young man repeatedly firing a high caliber weapon from the window of a car towards another car at a very busy intersection in broad daylight. Weeks later, on Feb. 9, 2024, a driver of that same car, Kylin Russell, evaded a roadblock and led officers with Capitol Police on a chase exceeding 120 miles per hour and lasting over 10 minutes. At the conclusion of the chase, he ran from police until he was caught.  He discarded an AR-style firearm as he ran, and after he was detained, two handguns equipped with machine gun conversion devices were recovered from his vehicle. Russell plead guilty to firearms offenses and was sentenced to two years in prison.

U.S. v. Rosendo Gonzalez Mora, et. al.

In July 2024, five individuals with ties to Mexico plead guilty to felony offenses related to drug trafficking, firearms trafficking and immigration offenses as a result of a law enforcement investigation involving sales of cocaine in Mississippi to purchase firearms and machine gun conversion devices for delivery to Mexico.

 

U.S. v. Johnny Ragsdale

On Nov. 23, 2023, Johnny Ragsdale was found in possession of an illegal machinegun after an attempted traffic stop on a vehicle he was driving in Jackson. Ragsdale failed to yield to law enforcement and led Capitol Police on a high-speed chase. The chase ended after Ragsdale collided with a train car on Mill Street. A Glock pistol was recovered from the vehicle, and a machinegun conversion device was attached to the pistol. Ragsdale plead guilty to illegal possession of a machinegun and is awaiting sentencing.

 

U.S. v. Damonik Shemikal Robinson

On Jan. 2, 2024, Damonik Shemikal Robinson was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Capitol Police for a traffic offense. Four firearms were in the vehicle, including three with attached machinegun conversion devices. Robinson admitted to owning one of two Glocks with an attached MCD that was recovered from the center console.  Robinson plead guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to five years in prison.

 

U.S. v. Marcus Powell et al.

In January 2024, more than 40 people in the Meridian area were charged in ten separate indictments with drug trafficking crimes, including distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and other illegal drugs.

 

U.S. v. Jarvis Jermaine Hampton

On Jan. 12, 2024, law enforcement officers discovered methamphetamine, a machinegun and a pill press in the Meridian residence of Jarvis Jermaine Hampton.  He plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is awaiting sentencing.

 

U.S. v. Ernest Quintez Clark

On Oct. 20, 2023, Ernest Quintez Clark, a convicted felon, possessed a firearm while attending a football game at Meridian High School. Clark had been previously convicted of aggravated assault in Louisiana. He plead guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to 60 months in prison.

 

U.S. v. Frederick Leshun Jones

On Nov. 28, 2023, Frederick Jones, a convicted felon, was found in possession of three firearms when members of the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force went to his Meridian home to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. Jones plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and is awaiting sentencing.

 

U.S. v. Koda Tye Williamson

On March 5, 2024, Koda Tye Williamson, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a firearm when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence in Simpson County. Williamson had previous convictions for manslaughter and methamphetamine possession. He plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and is awaiting sentencing.

 

U.S. v. Russell David Parker

On March 9, 2024, Russell David Parker, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop in Stone County. He plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and is awaiting sentencing.

 

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.