Press Releases
THREE SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT TODAY
November 16, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jackson, Miss - Artemeus D. Ford was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to serve 33 months in federal prison and to pay a fine of $1500.00. Ford pled guilty on August 31st to an indictment charging him as a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Ford has prior felony convictions for Grand Larceny and Manslaughter. On December 11, 2006, JPD officers responded to a call of shots fired. When they arrived on the scene, officers were told that Ford and his cousin had gotten into an altercation and the cousin had been shot by Ford. Ford was apprehended a short time later.
Michael Fultz was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay a fine of $1500.00. Fultz pled guilty on August 31st to an indictment charging him as a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Fultz has a prior felony conviction for Receiving Stolen Property. On December 16, 2006, Members of the Gun Interdiction Team were on patrol in the Jackson area when they heard gun shots. In the area of the shots, officers noticed several males standing in the roadway. Officers approached the group and made contact with Mr. Fultz and he advised officers he had a gun in his pocket. He was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Julius Smith was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today on charges of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of cocaine base also known as “crack”. On February 22, 2007, officers with the Gun Interdiction Team and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on patrol in the Jackson area. A Chevrolet Impala was noticed failing to signal when turning and a traffic stop was initiated. Officers and agents made contact with the driver, Julian Smith. He was found to be in possession of more than 50 grams of crack and a firearm. He pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack”, on August 31, 2007.
U.S. Attorney Lampton noted that these cases are examples of federal and local law enforcement officers working together to get dangerous criminals apprehended. The federal and local law enforcement agencies that participated in these cases are the Jackson Police Department Gun Interdiction Team, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cease Fire Task Force and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.
