41-year-old Desmond Deray Gatson of Newton was convicted Thursday of federal firearms violations of being a felon in possession of a gun. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone found him guilty after a two-day trial in federal court in Beaumont.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Beaumont police stopped Gatson on Lucas Road for having an obstructed license plate. Police smelled marijuana in the car and he admitted to having smoked a marijuana cigarette.
Police found marijuana in the center console and a handgun under the seat. Gaston as a convicted felon is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. He was indicted in August on federal firearms violations.
U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown of the Eastern District of Texas said the case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. The program is to help reduce gun and gang violence, plus deter illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor.
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