Slidell Man Guilty Of Machine Gun Possession

Correction: The captain of the vessel, TRAN, was subsequently interviewed by agents from the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on March 27, 2025, CUONG QUOC TRAN (“TRAN”), age 39, of Slidell, La, pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o). Sentencing is set for July 17, 2025.

According to documents filed in court, on January 5, 2022, the Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark intercepted a fishing vessel named the “Lucky Jean” approximately four nautical miles south of Southwest Pass within the Eastern District of Louisiana.  During the safety search,  Coast Guard personnel found multiple rifles capable of fully automatic fire.  The captain of the vessel, TRAN, was subsequently interviewed by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  TRAN admitted to possessing seven weapons found on the vessel which he had converted into weapons capable of being fully automatic, in other words, a machine gun.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives subsequently tested the weapons, and found them to be fully automatic.

TRAN faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit.