Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

PENSACOLA MAN SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR POSSESSION OF FIREARM AND POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE CRACK COCAINE

Pensacola, Florida –United States District Judge Lacy Collier sentenced Willie Demond Jackson (age 28, of Pensacola) to 20 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of a felony. Jackson was also convicted of possession with intent to distribute 10 or more grams of a controlled substance (crack cocaine) and use or carry of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Jackson had pled guilty to the charge on January 29, 2009.

According to court documents, ATF agents received information that Jackson, after having been previously convicted of multiple felonies, possessed a firearm while he sold narcotics. Based on this information, ATF agents initiated an investigation of Jackson and developed information that Jackson did in fact possess a firearm while selling drugs. At the time of Jackson’s arrest, ATF agents working in conjunction with the Escambia County Sheriffs Office initiated a traffic stop at which time Jackson fled. Jackson was apprehended shortly thereafter. Recovered during the course of the investigation were a .38 caliber, revolver and a quantity of crack cocaine. Subsequent to his arrest Jackson admitted to possessing the firearm and that he possessed the firearm for protection while he engaged in the sale of narcotics.

As a previously convicted felon, Jackson is prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law. Because of his criminal record, Jackson was exposed to significant sentencing guidelines under federal law. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Scott McCampbell said, “A review of Jackson’s criminal record is an example of the type of serious offender that warrants this type of significant sentence. America is safer today because Jackson is behind bars.”

This case was prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide gun violence reduction initiative supported by ATF. This case was jointly investigated by ATF and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steve Preiser.

 

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