BEAUMONT, Texas — A 27-year-old Beaumont man will be spending 71 months in federal prison as of today for a firearm violation.
In April 2019, law enforcement officers began investigating a homicide that took place in Beaumont’s west end.
Investigators later learned that Bernard James Bell was given a firearm that was used in connection with the April 2019 homicide of Anthony Wilson. Prosecutors said Bell disposed of it or hid it.
Investigators say they later recovered the firearm after concluding Bell had it in his possession at some point.
Bell is a convicted felon having had “several convictions in Jefferson County.”
As a convicted felon, Bell is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
Bernard James Bell was sentenced to 71 months Wednesday, Feb. 19. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in July 2019.
Bell was indicted on the charges by a federal grand jury on May 1, 2019.
