According to local news reports, a man in Minden, LA with a previous felony conviction faces prison time after admitting this week in federal court to having a gun in his possession. The 40 year old defendant pleaded guilty before the U.S. District Judge to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced March 1.
According to the guilty plea, the Minden Police Department arrested the man while investigating a domestic abuse issue on Sept. 8, 2016. They found the Minden man laying on his couch with a .45-caliber five-shot revolver in the waistband of his pants. He was previously convicted of a felony for his role in a cross-burning in October 2008 in Louisiana.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm. The ATF, FBI, Webster Parish Coroner’s Office and Minden Police Department conducted the investigation.
According to La R.S. 14:95.1,
- “It is unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a crime of violence which is a felony or simple burglary, burglary of a pharmacy, burglary of an inhabited dwelling, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, felony illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, manufacture or possession of a delayed action incendiary device, manufacture or possession of a bomb, or possession of a firearm while in the possession of or during the sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, or any violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law which is a felony, or any crime which is defined as a sex offense, to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon unless to felony conviction has been set aside.”
The penalty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is as such:
- “Whoever is found guilty of violating the provisions shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than 10 nor more than 20 years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and be fined not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $5,000.00. Whoever is found guilty of attempting to violate the provisions of this Section shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than 7 1/2 years and fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $2,500.00”
Whether you have been charged with aggravated assault or with having a weapon after being released from prison following a felony conviction, your legal situation is critical and precarious. At the felony level, you may encounter judges who adhere to minimum sentencing guidelines and cannot or do not exercise leniency. You could face a prison sentence and further future troubles in your career, financial affairs and other areas of life.
Contact our experienced Shreveport criminal defense attorney at Greenwald Law Firm who has practiced in criminal law in the North Louisiana area for more than 10 years. After an arrest on felony firearm possession charges, you need advocacy from a lawyer with years of experience in handling these types of cases which have such a huge impact on the rest of your life.