A Pelahatchie man, Brad O’Neal Lee, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentencing follows Lee's sale of firearms to a pawn shop in Jackson, Mississippi, which led to an alert from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Lee, 41, is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his status as a convicted felon. His prior felony convictions include residential burglary, false pretense, and uttering a forgery. He served several years in state prison for these offenses.
The case against Lee was initiated with an indictment by a federal grand jury on September 6, 2023. He entered a guilty plea on October 3, 2024.
The announcement of the sentencing was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the ATF. The investigation was conducted by the ATF with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuting the case.
This legal action is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched on May 26, 2021, this strategy emphasizes trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
