Vidor man guilty of federal firearm crime

A 30-year-old Vidor man pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, according to U.S. Attorney Joseph Brown.

Taylor Graham Cozart pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on Monday, Feb. 10, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin. 

According to information presented in court, on July 30, 2019, local officers responded to a motorcycle accident on Interstate 10 in Orange County. Cozart was the driver of the motorcycle which was later determined to be stolen. Cozart was transported to a nearby hospital and the accident scene was cleared, during which time, officers located a backpack affixed to the motorcycle. The backpack contained a pistol, ammunition, $3,000 cash, methamphetamine, Xanax and hydrocodone pills. Further investigation revealed Cozart was a convicted felon having three prior felony drug convictions. As a convicted felon, Cozart is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

The case was prosecuted as a 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. 

Under federal statutes, Cozart faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. His sentence 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.