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

Just Three Months After Being Sentenced to “Time-Served” by Local Judge for Drug Dealing, Defendant Illegally Possessed Firearm

Jackson, Miss. – Jonathan Beasley, 28, of Jackson, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan II to 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.  Beasley was also ordered to pay a $1500 fine.

On December 20, 2016, Beasley was convicted of felonious possession with intent to distribute marijuana in Hinds County and was sentenced to time served.  On March 19, 2017, just three months after his conviction, Beasley was found with a firearm in his possession after wrecking his car at a gas station in Hinds County.  During a subsequent law enforcement interview, Beasley admitted to possessing the gun and to purchasing the gun off the street.

Beasley was found guilty pursuant to a jury verdict on October 17, 2019 following a two-day trial.

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.

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