Jackson Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

While on Probation, Defendant Shot at a Person Near an Elementary School

Jackson, Miss. – Andrew Rollins, 28, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to 24 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 Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

Rollins had previously been convicted of felonious house burglary in Hinds County in 2013. On August 22, 2018, in Hinds County, Rollins discharged a firearm multiple times at another person.  The shooting occurred within 1,000 feet of an elementary school.  At the time of this offense, Rollins was still on Hinds County probation and his state probation has since been revoked.

Rollins was originally indicted for this offense on January 25, 2019.  He pled guilty before Judge Reeves on March 26, 2019 to being a felon in possession.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Jackson Police Department investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew W. Eichner.

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).  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.  Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.