Jefferson Parish Man Charged with Violation of National Firearm Act

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOSEPH METZLER, III, age 44, of Gretna, was indicted on November 30, 2023 for possession of a silencer that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

According to the indictment, on May 9, 2023, METZLER possessed a silencer that was not registered to him, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d).

If convicted, METZLER faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $10,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.