Reserve Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug Charges

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BRIAN BURNS, age 34, of Reserve, pled guilty today to charges relating to narcotics trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. 

According to court documents, BURNS conspired to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.  For that charge, BURNS faces a term of imprisonment of at least five and up to forty years, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, 

BURNS pled guilty to possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  BURNS possessed a Remington Model AR-15, .223 caliber semi-automatic assault rifle; a Kel-Tec Model Tec-9, 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine; and a Taurus Model 738 TCP, .380 caliber, semi-automatic pistol.  For the firearms charge, BURNS faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years, which must run consecutive to any other sentence, and a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. 

Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown set sentencing for May 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas D. Moses and Jonathan L. Shih are in charge of the prosecution.