A Hattiesburg man was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced the U.S. Attorney and the FBI.
According to court documents, Harley Cox III, 40, possessed a firearm on or about May 3, 2021. On that date, Cox discharged the firearm into an occupied residence in Forrest County and then fled.
Forrest County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with Lamar County Sheriff’s Office and eventually located Cox in Lamar County. When found, Cox was in possession of multiple firearms. He had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including drug distribution.
The sentence also included restitution of $6,916.37 and a term of three years of supervised release following his release from confinement.
“We appreciate the assistance of all of our partner agencies in getting a violent offender off of the streets,” said Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims. “Project Safe Neighborhoods allows agencies to share information and collaborate on cases which has greatly assisted us in our efforts to address violent crime in our community.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, and Lamar County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew W. Eichner and Shundral Cole prosecuted the case.
