Jackson Man Involved in Shooting Pleads Guilty to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Jackson, MS - A Jackson man pleaded guilty on Friday, April 17th in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers responded to a shooting at Robinson Street on September 15, 2025 in Jackson. The investigation revealed that Derrick Epps, 44, was in possession of a firearm, pursued, and confronted another man outside of a convenience store before opening fire. At the time of the shooting, Epps had previously been convicted of armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault by firearm, and assault on a law enforcement officer, all in Hinds County.

Epps is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from the Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Brett Grantham is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).