California Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearms after a Domestic Violence Conviction

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that QUINTON COOKS, 37, of California, pled guilty yesterday to two counts of possession of a firearm after having been convicted previously of a domestic violence offense.

According to court documents, on April 26, 2015, New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) detectives responded to the 3700 block of Earhart Boulevard because of reported gunshots. They observed an empty vehicle that had sustained several gunshots still running and in drive, with a door ajar. There were spent casings trailing down the sidewalk. The detectives encountered COOKS at the scene. After waiving his Miranda rights, COOKS admitted to exchanging fire with another vehicle and then hiding a firearm in a nearby residence. The detectives recovered the firearm hidden in a shoe in the closet of the residence.

A week later, on May 3, 2015, Louisiana State Police troopers observed a hand-to-hand transaction between a pedestrian and a vehicle that was stopped on Loyola Avenue near Julia Street in New Orleans. COOKS and two others occupied the vehicle. As the troopers approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from within the vehicle, and observed the passengers making suspicious movements. The troopers searched the vehicle and recovered two firearms with extended magazines and a plastic bag containing marijuana. COOKS testified in state court that one of the firearms belonged to him.

COOKS faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to 3 years supervised release, and $100 Mandatory Special Assessment Fee for each count. U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon set sentencing for October 5, 2017.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department for investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Carboni and Matthew Payne are in charge of the prosecution.