Felon Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Possession Used in Marshall County Workplace Shooting

GREENVILLE, MS - Keena Boyce, 44, of Holly Springs was sentenced to 15 years, 3 years of supervised released today by United States District Court Chief Judge Debra M. Brown. The defendant had previously pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court records, Boyce was in an argument with a coworker when he shot them multiple times at their workplace, Pallet Source Inc., in Marshall County. The Marshall County Sheriff's Department quickly responded to the scene and captured Boyce in possession of a handgun. Boyce had previously been convicted of a violent offense in Mississippi state courts and was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.

U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary of the Northern District of Mississippi explained, "This case is an example of local and federal law enforcement working together to protect the people of this great State. The Marshall County Sheriff's office responded quickly and decisively to this shooting. Thereafter, ATF brought federal assets furthering the prosecution of this criminal for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Career offenders commit the majority of crimes, and if they can be taken off the streets our communities will be much safer."

"In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our community, ATF will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess firearms, especially in the commission of shooting of a co-worker," said ATF SAC Joshua Jackson. "The sentence imposed today sends a message to convicted felons who are prohibited from possessing firearms that we will continue to work to keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF."

In addition to ATF, this case was also investigated by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Herzog Jr. prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Neighborhood brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.