January 22, 2020 - A 38-year-old Carthage, Texas, man has been convicted of federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
Timothy Earl Brown was found guilty today of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition following a two-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 14, 2016, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a rural residence in Panola County for a prowler. Brown was spotted by law enforcement carrying a rifle in a wooded area near the home. Brown fled but was apprehended and also found in possession of a revolver. Further investigation revealed Brown is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Brown was convicted in Panola County in 2000 for theft, in 2000 for escape and in 2011 for sexual assault. He also has a prior conviction in the Eastern District of Texas for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2004. Brown was indicted for this incident on June 21, 2018 and charged with federal firearms violations.
Under the federal statute, Brown faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence; deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition, and body armor; and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
This case was investigated by the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jim Noble and Alan Jackson.
