U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs | U.S. Department of Justice
A Port Arthur resident, Kemien Sharod Taylor, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Taylor, aged 51, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on December 19, 2024.
The case details reveal that in November 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence on 12th Street in Port Arthur. Taylor had previously sold crack cocaine at this location. During the search, he directed officers to a stolen firearm hidden in a bedroom closet. Alongside the firearm, officers found crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia such as Pyrex mixing bowls and digital scales with cocaine residue.
Further investigation confirmed that Taylor was a convicted felon, thus prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, which is the Department of Justice’s initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between federal, state, and local entities. PSN focuses on identifying violent crime issues within communities and developing strategies to address them effectively.
The investigation was conducted by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn prosecuted the case.
