Former Mr. Pascagoula High School, best dressed student headed to prison

GULFPORT -- A Gautier man once named Mr. Pascagoula High School and best dressed in his class in the 80s has been sentenced to six years in prison for buying and selling illegal firearms in Jackson County, court records show.

U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden also ordered Edward Cornell Harris, 46, to serve three years under post-release supervision and pay a $2,000 along with a $100 special assessment fee. The judge sentenced him Wednesday on a federal charge of possession of a firearm.

A federal grand jury had indicted Harrison on one count of sale of a firearm and three counts of felon in possession of a firearm. In exchange for his plea, the government dismissed the remaining three charges against him.

Court papers say Harris was selling illegal firearms in Jackson County on Sept. 18, and 20, 2012.

On Sept. 18, 2012, authorities arrested Harris for carrying a .9 mm pistol and a day later, he was found with a .380-caliber revolver, though he was a felon prohibited by state law from carrying a firearm.

Harris was convicted in 1999 on three counts of possession of a controlled substance in Jackson County, according to officials at the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

In 2006, in Harrison County, he was convicted of jail escape. He was convicted in 2011 and 2013 on two other felony drug charges out of state.

Six people wrote letters to the judge asking for a leniency for Harris at his sentencing.

A minister noted his achievements he'd received in high school as an honor student with straight As in addition to the other accolades. After high school, the Rev. Frances Todd wrote, Harris attended Tennessee State University on a football scholarship.

Harris sought prayer from church members as he prepared to face the consequences of his illegal acts.

Harris, Todd wrote, "understands that he has done wrong and regrets his actions."

Others said Harris often helped ailing people in his community and also cared for his elderly mother, whose health is failing.

"Edward's children, mother and family certainly are not deserving of what they have endured thus far," M.E. Stringfield wrote. "I strongly believe an extended prison term will benefit no one other than create a tremendous hardship for his children, not to mention the taxpayers.

"His aging mother will bear full responsibility for the financial burden that involved his children and case, not to mention the taxpayers," he said. "Edward's loss of dignity and respect in the eyes of the public and community as well as those freedoms given before conviction, will adversely affect future opportunities or drop him out of the workforce as a non-productive citizen. Taxpayers are sure to bear the burden."

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Former Mr. Pascagoula High School, best dressed student headed to prison ."