JACKSON — A Jackson man has been issued a summons to appear in court on two felony counts related to the illegal possession of a firearm. Anthony Hemphill, 26, was convicted in 2018 of the violent crime of first-degree burglary and is prohibited from possessing firearms. He is now charged with one count of ineligible possession of a firearm and a firearm violation for a felon convicted of a violent crime.
Both offenses carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine, but not less than five years in prison, should Hemphill be convicted.
Charges stem from a Sept. 6, 2021 incident in which Jackson County deputies were dispatched to Muir Avenue in Jackson on a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon responding to the scene, deputies observed a dark green Ford Explorer, matching the description of the reported vehicle, parked on a dead-end road facing a local apartment building.
As one deputy exited the squad car, he recognized Hemphill getting out of the Ford Explorer from the driver’s side door. They exchanged words, and the deputy explained there had been a report of a suspicious vehicle. Hemphill stated he was waiting for his brother, who was at the apartment building, and the deputies departed.
Approximately 10 minutes later, deputies were again dispatched to that location on a report of a domestic disturbance. The previously occupied Ford Explorer was now parked facing the wrong way and no one was inside the vehicle. Witnesses stated a person had jumped on top of the hood while Hemphill was driving.
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Deputies attempted to locate Hemphill but determined he had fled on foot. He was briefly observed running between buildings, but deputies again lost sight of him.
A deputy then requested a tow for the Ford Explorer due to the belief that it was involved in an assault, the driver had fled on foot, and it was parked the wrong way on a public street. The deputy reportedly observed that the driver's side window was open, and he detected a strong odor of marijuana. Additionally, the driver's side window was completely rolled down, and he was unable to see any keys in the ignition.
A search of the vehicle was conducted. During this time, the deputy reportedly located Visa and Master Card credit cards registered to Hemphill, a baggie containing a green leafy substance, a cell phone, a 9mm Beretta Apx with 3 magazines, a stroller and a car seat.
Later that night, the deputy reportedly received a call from Hemphill, stating he would turn himself in but he wanted to know what the charge would be. He stated he did not know anything about the gun in the vehicle and wanted to know why his vehicle was searched.
Approximately two months later, the deputy spoke with a witness in regard to an unrelated incident, and the witness stated he knew Hemphill. The witness stated he last saw Hemphill in September 2021. Hemphill had knocked on his door and told him he needed a phone to make a call and so he let him into his apartment. The witness then left for class.
When he returned, Hemphill was waiting outside his apartment and told him he needed to use his phone again. The witness let Hemphill back into his apartment, and he reportedly took out a pistol and set it on the table. He then told him about how his "girl" is crazy and he needs to get out of town because the cops were after him. Hemphill reportedly said the cops had taken another gun he just bought.
Hemphill was scheduled to make his initial court appearance April 27.
