In the Eastern District of Texas, Brandon Deshun Hawkins, 36, of Tyler, Texas was sentenced to federal prison for 37 months.

In Sep. 2021, Hawkins pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. On Oct. 13, 2020, Hawkins was stopped while driving on S. Vine Street in Tyler and arrested on outstanding warrants.  

During the traffic stop, Hawkins threw a plastic bag containing marijuana from the vehicle, resulting in a probable cause search of the vehicle.  During the search, officers discovered a pistol between the driver’s seat and center console. 

Further investigation revealed Hawkins is a member of the Eight Trey Gangster Crips, a criminal street gang, and a convicted felon with five prior convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon from a 2008 Tyler shooting.