Three Louisiana Residents Plead Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearms

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today that STERLING ROBINSON, age 26, of Gretna, DEANDRE ROSE, age 23, and EVERETT ROSS, age 28, both of New Orleans, pled guilty to violations of the Federal Gun Control Act.  ROBINSON pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of narcotics distribution.  ROSS and ROSE each pled guilty to possession of firearms by felons.

According to court documents, on October 14, 2014, Gretna police officers were patrolling in the area of Milton and Pratt Streets when they noticed an illegally parked vehicle.  As the officers approached the vehicle to issue a citation, they saw a bag of crack cocaine in the passenger door handle.  The officers also observed a semi-automatic handgun secured between the passenger seat and the middle console.  A short time later, the officers observed ROBINSON, ROSE, ROSS and a female acquaintance approach and attempt to enter the vehicle.

As ROBINSON was removed from the area of the front passenger seat, he resisted arrest and attempted to reach for the bag of crack cocaine.  ROSS was removed from the driver’s seat of the vehicle and ROSE was removed from the rear passenger seat.  The officers searched the vehicle and two additional handguns were discovered.  A Ruger model P85 9mm semi-automatic handgun was found underneath the front of the driver’s seat and accessible to ROSS.  A Springfield model XDM, .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun was found underneath the rear of the front passenger’s seat and accessible to ROSE.  The initially-observed, Kahr model CW9, 9mm semi-automatic handgun was accessible to ROBINSON.  Further investigation revealed that each of the firearms had been reported stolen.

Court records revealed that ROSS and ROSE each had two prior felony convictions in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.  As such, they both were prohibited from possessing firearms by both state and federal law.

ROBINSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  ROSS and ROSE face a maximum terms of imprisonment of ten years, a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo scheduled sentencing for June 30, 2016.