The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that a program central to its efforts to reduce violent crime in communities across the country has resulted in a guilty plea and prison sentence for a Mississippi man.
Kordarial Hughes, 33, also known as Yao Ming, of Greenville, Miss., entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court for Mississippi's Northern District to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills to 40 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, the DOJ announced Feb. 17. Hughes was remanded into U.S. Marshals' custody after the sentencing.
"Getting guns out of the hands of felons and off the streets is one of our top priorities," FBI Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby said in the announcement.
The FBI worked with the Greenville Police Department on the Hughes case, the DOJ reports, as part of the DOJ's Project Safe Neighborhoods Program (PSN). PSN partners with local individuals and organizations to determine and address their community's worst violent-crimes issues, according to the announcement. PSN focuses enforcement efforts on violent criminals and also supports local programs for long-term crime reduction.
"The FBI is committed to working hand-in-hand with our state and local partners to ensure violent criminals are held accountable and brought to justice," Fomby said. "We will continue to work diligently to keep the citizens of Mississippi safe."
