A Southaven man was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday to 20 months in prison for lying on ATF Form 4473 during the purchase of a firearm.

According to court documents, Lavoris Donte McGee Jr., 22, traveled to a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL), in Southaven and purchased a Diamondback, Model AR-15, .300 blackout, semi-automatic rifle. McGee filled out the ATF Form 4473 required for the purchase of the gun and stated that he was not currently under felony indictment when, in fact, he was under indictment for assault on a law enforcement officer.

On April 10, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced McGee to 20 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

“For the safety and well-being of all citizens, it is imperative that we hold accountable those individuals who illegally obtain and possess firearms,” remarked U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “This office will continue to work alongside our local, state and federal partners to prioritize the prosecution of individuals who provide false information in order to possess guns when they are not legally allowed to do so.”

“Getting guns out of the hands of criminals is an essential element of the fight against violent crime and securing our neighborhoods,” said ATF New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today sends a message to the community that dishonest individuals like this will be held accountable as we work to keep our neighborhoods safe as a top priority for ATF.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case with the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, Southaven Police Department, and with assistance from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing 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 lapriorities andt 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.