BEAUMONT – A 30-year-old Vidor man pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

According to U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown, Taylor Graham Cozart pleaded guilty Monday to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin.

According to information presented in court, law enforcement officers responded to a motorcycle crash July 30 on Interstate 10 in Orange County. The defendant was the driver of the motorcycle, which was later determined to be stolen.

Cozart was taken to a nearby hospital and the wreck 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, authorities said, 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 Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative prosecuted the case.

Under federal statutes, Cozart faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.