JACKSON, MS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
JACKSON, MS – A Jackson woman was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison as an Armed Career Criminal for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on December 8, 2021, federal and state law enforcement executed a search warrant at Betty Butler’s home and found her in possession of a firearm. Butler, 56, had prior felony convictions, and felons are prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms. Four of Butler’s prior convictions were considered serious drug felonies, which triggered application of the Armed Career Criminal Act.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the DEA, with assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.
Criminal Chief Erin Chalk and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuted the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation targeting illegal methamphetamine and cocaine distribution in central, Mississippi. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
