A Natchez man was sentenced on July 30 to 12 months and one day in prison for possession of a stolen firearm.
According to court documents, Patrick Montrell Harris, 34, stole a pistol from the property room of the Centreville Police Department and later sold it to a pawn shop while he was an officer with the department.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuted.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is described as “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.” According to this description: “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. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi includes offices in Jackson, Gulfport and Hattiesburg; operates under direction from the Attorney General; encompasses 45 counties across 25,000 square miles in southern Mississippi; prosecutes federal crimes; handles civil lawsuits for the government; collects federal debts; covers 45 counties in its jurisdiction; and serves as chief federal law enforcement officer for its area, according to its official website.