A Kountze man was sentenced on July 23 to 63 months in federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced.
Joshua Kenneth Hope, 33, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. According to information presented in court, law enforcement responded early on June 21, 2025, to reports of shots fired near a residence in Kountze and encountered Hope with a shotgun. Further investigation revealed that Hope had previous felony convictions in Hardin County for aggravated assault family violence and assault on a public servant. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative by the Department of Justice that coordinates efforts among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime and improve community safety. PSN focuses on rapid federal response to violent crime, strategic partnerships across agencies, and accountability through prosecution of serious offenses.
This prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross following an investigation by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas works as part of the United States Department of Justice, employs about 100 staff members including roughly 50 assistant U.S. attorneys, supports victims through dedicated services, covers 43 counties with offices located in Beaumont, Lufkin, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana and Tyler, prosecutes federal crimes, and delivers civil litigation services, according to the official website.