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Jackson, Miss. – Jermaine Lockett, 45, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee to 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing controlled substances, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Dana Nichols, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. Lockett was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,520.
On December 17, 2017, officers with the Jackson Police Department were on patrol in the area of East Frontage Road and Canton Mart Road. An officer observed a vehicle driving erratically in the area and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and instead increased speed and fled. The vehicle hit another vehicle before coming to a stop. Lockett ran from the vehicle and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl. A firearm was also recovered from the vehicle. Lockett was arrested and charged.
On March 30, 2018, a criminal information was filed charging Lockett on two counts – being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. He had been previously convicted of felony evasion and possession of stolen property on April 7, 2011, in Madison County Circuit Court, and being a felon in possession of a firearm on November 6, 2008, in Hinds County Circuit Court.
Lockett pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl on April 19, 2018.
Project EJECT is 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 in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together.” PSN is program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the Jackson a police Department and their cooperation with ATF agents and Project EJECT task force members. AUSA Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.
