Mississippi Delta Man Sentenced for Federal Drug & Gun Charges

OXFORD, MS - Malcolm Patterson, 28, of Leland was sentenced today to ten years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release in connection with his conviction on federal gun and drug charges. This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Scott Leary and Greenville Police Chief Marcus Turner.

According to court documents, Malcolm Patterson, 28, previously pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. District Court Judge James D. Maxwell sentenced Patterson to 120 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release. Patterson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Scott Leary stated, "The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Greenville Police Department are among the most valuable state and federal law enforcement partners in our district. Thank you for your selfless service and professionalism. Our citizens are safer because of your hard work."

Greenville Police Chief Marcus R. Turner, Sr. stated, "Today, we received notification from our federal partners that another case investigated by the Greenville Police Department has reached its conclusion, resulting in a 10-year federal prison sentence. This outcome demonstrated the strength of our partnerships with the ATF and the United States Attorney's Office. I commend our officers, investigators, and federal partners for their dedication to seeing this case through. Our responsibility does not end when the handcuffs go on. We are committed to building solid cases that result in meaningful accountability. We will continue using every available resource to combat criminal activity and make Greenville a safer community."

This case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

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