Cooke County Felon Convicted of Firearms Violations

PLANO, Texas – A 38-year-old Gainesville, Texas, man has been convicted of federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.                                                                                               

            William Randall Brannan was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime today  following a week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.

            According to information presented in court, in January 2019, Brannan, while delivering methamphetamine, discharged a firearm in a Gainesville residence, and again outside the home, while attempting to intimidate others into returning methamphetamine which he believed had been stolen from him.  On Feb. 28, 2019, Brannan was located in Arlington, Texas and fled as law enforcement officers attempted to arrest him.  He then led police on a high-speed chase before crashing the vehicle.  The gun used in the Gainesville shooting was found in the vehicle.  Further investigation revealed Brannan was a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.  Brannan was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 14, 2019.

            “Brannan has a long criminal history, and continues to mix drugs, guns, and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown.  “This conviction should keep him off the streets for a long time.”

            Under federal statutes, Brannan faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

            This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.  Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence; deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition, and body armor; and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

            This case was investigated by the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office, the Arlington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Johnson and Chris Eason.