Date: 05-21-2018

Case Style:

Case Number: 1:17-cr-00116-HSO-JCG

Judge: Louis Guirola, Jr.

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Harrison County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Annette Williams

Defendant's Attorney: Ellen Maier Allred - FPD

Description: Gulfport, MS - Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Horace M. Rutledge, Jr., 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, entered a guilty plea on May 17, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

Rutledge admitted he brought a .50 caliber rifle, a multi-caliber rifle with two 30-round magazines, and a multi-caliber pistol to a confidential informant as the second down payment for cocaine on September 23, 2017. On August 27, 2017, Rutledge brought $27,500 to Gulfport as a down payment for cocaine. Rutledge and others were part of conspiracy that was attempting to purchase as much as 50 kilos of cocaine from a DEA confidential informant. They wired money to Gulfport along with bringing cash and the firearms. Rutledge has four previous convictions for second degree assault, felony resisting arrest, possession of a firearm, and sale of a firearm as a second offender from Nassau County, New York.

Rutledge faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for August 16, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Outcome: Guilty

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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