A Jackson man was sentenced on July 30 to 78 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Capitol Police were patrolling a local hotel known for drug activity when they observed Michael Kwanmaine Fields, 34, and another man seated inside a vehicle late at night. When officers exited their vehicles, they smelled marijuana emitting from Fields’s vehicle and subsequently discovered firearms and drugs inside it.
Fields has prior felony convictions for manslaughter, aggravated assault, and felon in possession of a firearm. Because of his prior felony convictions, he is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Fields will not be eligible for parole because there is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Denham of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement. The ATF and Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi encompasses offices in Jackson, Gulfport and Hattiesburg; covers 45 counties across approximately 25,000 square miles; prosecutes federal crimes; handles civil lawsuits for the government; collects federal debts; operates under direction from the Attorney General; and serves as chief federal law enforcement officer within its jurisdiction, according to the official website.