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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Bottle deposit increase may help boost returns ... Gray wolf spotted by trail cam in Siskiyou County ... Medford drive-by shooting suspect linked to Portland shooting ... Our View: Bottle deposit increase may help boost returns ... Gray wolf spotted by trail cam in Siskiyou County ... Medford drive-by shooting suspect linked to Portland shooting ... FEDERAL COURT Medford armed career criminal sentenced to 15 years for carrying ammunition Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 2:55 PM Updated Mar 18, 2015 at 4:35 PM Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 2:55 PM Updated Mar 18, 2015 at 4:35 PM » Social News A Medford armed career criminal found with ammunition in his pocket was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison Monday in federal court. Senior U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner sentenced Joel Daniel Dixon, 49, to 188 months after Dixon had previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition. Panner dismissed a separate charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to court documents. Dixon will be on supervised release for five years after he completes his prison sentence. Dixon was found with the ammunition in his pocket Feb. 28, 2013, during a probation officer's visit to the home of another man. Acting on a tip, the probation officer believed there was also a fugitive living at the house and asked sheriff's deputies to accompany him. One of the deputies went to the back of the house in case the fugitive tried to escape. He found Dixon hiding between the house and a fence, according to federal court records. The deputy drew his gun and ordered Dixon to put his hands up. Dixon turned away, reached into his pocket and threw something down, then walked toward the deputy with his hands raised. The deputy searched Dixon and found a Colt .380 magazine loaded with five rounds in his pocket but no weapon. The deputy also discovered a small baggie of methamphetamine that had been dropped on the ground, a gallon zip-close bag of marijuana buds, a backpack, and a leather satchel containing 584 grams of methamphetamine packaged for sale in the narrow space where Dixon had been hiding.  Under federal law, people who are found in possession of ammunition or firearms after having been convicted of three felonies pertaining to violence or drug trafficking are considered armed career criminals. They face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years when convicted of being in possession of a firearm or ammunition, according to a Department of Justice news release. Dixon’s criminal history includes 14 felony convictions, including attempt to elude police, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, supplying contraband, first-degree theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm, the release said. The case was investigated jointly by Jackson County Parole and Probation Services, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas W. Fong. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 2:55 PM Updated Mar 18, 2015 at 4:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501