Upshur County felon sentenced to federal prison for firearms violation 

TYLER, Texas –A Gilmer convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

 

Jimmy Lavoice Duffey, 47, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on December 10, 2025.

 

According to information presented in court, on May 7, 2022, Duffey was stopped for a traffic violation in Cherokee County.  During the stop, it was discovered that Duffey had a firearm in the vehicle.  Further investigation revealed Duffey was a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Longview Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.