Convicted Felon Found with Firearm Gets 180 Days in Jail

A convicted felon was sentenced to 180 days in jail on Friday after a routine traffic stop in June resulted in the discovery of a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a loaded magazine, and 500 rounds of ammunition in his car.

Joseph Roberson, 21, who was on felony probation for possession of a deadly weapon, pleaded guilty to possession of firearm by a convicted felon. Police had pulled over Roberson because he didn’t have his headlights on, and officers determined he was subject to search as a condition of his probation.

That search resulted in the discovery of a black ski mask, black gloves, and a black bandanna in a bag on the car’s back seat. At the time of his arrest, Roberson told police he obtained the firearm from a friend that he would not identify, but never gave an explanation for the rest of the items in the car.

Additionally, at his sentencing Friday morning, Roberson’s original probation was revoked and reinstated for another three years with conditions that include him being subject to search and seizure.

Roberson has credit for 25 days served, and is eligible for the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (SWAP) or electronic monitoring.