Metairie Man Charged With Violations of the Federal Gun Control and National Firearms Acts

NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced Thursday, March 21, 2019 that a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against defendant DAVID HUNTER, of Metairie, for possession of stolen firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(j) (Count 1), being a prohibited person under indictment in possession of firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C.§ 922(n) (Count 2); and possession of a suppressor not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record in violation to 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d).  For Count 1, HUNTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years and a $250,000 fine.  For Count 2, HUNTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a $250,000 fine. For Count 3, HUNTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years and a $10,000 fine.  For each of the charged counts, HUNTER faces up to three years supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a $100 special assessment fee.

The indictment alleges that in December of 2016, HUNTER stole a gun safe containing various firearms from a location in Tylertown, Mississippi and transported the firearms to the Eastern District of Louisiana.

An indictment is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This matter was handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Louisiana State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Duane A. Evans is prosecuting the case.