Gulfport, Miss. - Travis W. Fennel, 32, of Pass Christian, Mississippi, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of illegal narcotics, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and ATF Special-Agent-in-Charge Kurt Thielhorn.
On Oct. 14, 2019, a Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Fennel for speeding and following too closely. The Deputy recovered a Rock Island M1911.45 caliber semi-automatic handgun from Fennel who later admitted to being an unlawful user of illegal narcotics. On May 12, 2020, Fennel was charged in a federal criminal indictment.
Fennel will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on Oct. 29, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
