Metairie Man Pleads Guilty To Violations of the Federal Gun Control Act

NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that DAVID HUNTER (“HUNTER”), age 23, of Metairie, pled guilty on October 30, 2019 to possession of stolen firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(j) (Count 1), and being a prohibited person under indictment in possession of firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C.§ 922(n) (Count 2).

According to court documents, in December of 2016, HUNTER stole a gun safe that contained various firearms from a residence in Tylertown, Mississippi.  HUNTER then transported the firearms in interstate commerce to the Eastern District of Louisiana.  HUNTER possessed and transported the firearms after having been charged in Orleans Parish of state offenses that were punishable by terms of imprisonment exceeding one year.  Several firearms including a suppressor/silencer have not been recovered and are still missing.  The unrecovered firearms are listed below:

The court set sentencing in this matter for February 4, 2020.  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 each count, HUNTER faces up to three years supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a $100 special assessment fee.

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.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Louisiana State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Duane A. Evans is prosecuting the case.