Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 4 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR WEAPONS VIOLATION
October 22, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LESTER TRICHE, age 29, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to over four years (57 months) in prison for illegally possessing a firearm in New Orleans, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Fallon ordered that TRICHE be placed on three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
According to court documents on July 8, 2009, TRICHE pled guilty to one count of a violation of 18 U.S.C. §922(g), admitting that he possessed a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol in the 1900 block of Desire St. in New Orleans. According to the factual basis, TRICHE was spotted driving without a license plate by NOPD officers on October 27, 2008. Officers stopped the vehicle for the traffic violation and, as the vehicle slowed down and pulled to the side of the road, they observed TRICHE throw a handgun to the rear of the vehicle in the backseat area. Officers ordered TRICHE to step out of the vehicle and they the secured the weapon which was in plain view on the backseat. TRICHE admitted to officers that he had obtained the gun from a family member. TRICHE is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction for Possession With Intent To Distribute Crack in October 1998 in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.
The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department along with agents from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters.
