Port Gibson Man Sentenced to Five Years for Probation Violation

PORT GIBSON, Miss. (VDN) — A Port Gibson man has been sentenced to five years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections after violating his probation stemming from a weapons charge.

Cortland Holmes was arrested in May after being seen walking with a rifle near Port Gibson City Hall. At the time of his arrest, Holmes was already on probation. He was sentenced Monday by Judge Tomika Irving.

In addition to the probation violation, Holmes still faces a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On May 6, 2025, Chief Russell Dorsey with the Port Gibson Police Department responded to reports of a male walking near City Hall with a rifle. Upon arrival, Chief Dorsey observed a male subject walking openly in the street carrying an AR-12 assault-style rifle.

The subject, later identified as Cortland Holmes, was safely disarmed and taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported, and the scene was quickly secured.

Further investigation revealed that a disturbance had taken place and Holmes retrieved a weapon and returned to the scene.

Holmes, a convicted felon, was formally charged with felon in possession of a firearm. He was on probation for a similar charge at the time. His probation officer was notified.

“I’m thankful this situation ended peacefully,” said Chief Dorsey. “The presence of a high-powered weapon in a public setting poses a real threat to community safety.”