Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Hydrocodone and Alprazolam and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that JACQUE BUTLER, age 47, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, hydrocodone, and alprazolam, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  As a result of his conviction, BUTLER faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years for the firearms offense, which must be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the drug offense, a fine, and a period of supervised release.

In a hearing before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, BUTLER admitted to possessing nine firearms, a CN Romarms, AK-47, 7.62 caliber rifle, a Bushmaster, .223 caliber rifle, a Taurus, model 990, .22 caliber pistol, a Taurus, .38 caliber pistol, a Ruger, model GP 100, .357 caliber pistol, a Metro Arms, .45 caliber pistol, a Springfield Armory, model 1911-A1, .45 caliber pistol, a Taurus, model PT11G2, 9mm pistol, and a Hi Point, model JHP, .45 caliber pistol, to further, advance, or help his drug trafficking crime. 

On August 16, 2017, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives executed a search warrant on BUTLER’s residence after receiving information that BUTLER was selling marijuana from his home.  From his residence, detectives recovered the aforementioned firearms, quantities of marijuana and pills containing hydrocodone and alprazolam, and a digital scale. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that four of the firearms had been reported stolen through the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and Baton Rouge Police Department.  At the time, BUTLER was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated,  “This conviction is another example of how our partnership with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and ATF can remove those who traffic drugs and possess illegal firearms from our streets and make our communities  safer for our citizens. “

ATF Resident Agent-in-Charge Antonio L. Pittman stated, ““ATF will continue to focus our investigations on felons in possession of firearms and violent armed drug traffickers. ATF, in collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners continue to make our communities safer by removing these individuals from our streets utilizing federal prosecutions.  Seizing this many weapons from Mr. Butler will help to reduce violent crime in our community.”

This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, with substantial assistance from the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Demetrius Sumner.