A Jackson man, Derrick Epps, pleaded guilty on April 17 in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an announcement made by United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff on May 4.
The case centers on a shooting that took place on September 15, 2025, outside a convenience store on Robinson Street in Jackson. Law enforcement responded to the incident and determined that Epps, age 44, was armed when he pursued and confronted another individual before opening fire. At the time of this event, Epps had prior convictions for armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault by firearm, and assault on a law enforcement officer—all from Hinds County.
Epps is scheduled for sentencing on July 23 and could face up to life imprisonment if sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines as well as other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Brett Grantham is prosecuting the case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with support from the Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative that aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime (Operation Take Back America).
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi serves as chief federal law enforcement officer for its jurisdiction according to its official website. The office handles federal criminal prosecutions as well as civil litigation involving government interests across its area covering 45 counties over approximately 25,000 square miles in southern Mississippi—including offices located in Jackson, Gulfport and Hattiesburg according to its official website. The office operates under direction from the Attorney General according to its official website.
