Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Gun and Firearm Charges

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that ROSHEI EDWARDS, age 27, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been convicted of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute heroin and oxycodone, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.  As a result of his convictions, EDWARDS faces a significant term of imprisonment, a fine, and a period of supervised release.

In a hearing before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick, EDWARDS pled guilty to possession of a loaded Glock, model 21, .45 caliber pistol; a loaded, stolen Springfield, model XD40, .40 caliber pistol; a loaded, stolen Glock, model 26, 9mm pistol; a box of .40 caliber ammunition; numerous magazines loaded with ammunition; and a loaded Bushmaster, model Carbon 15, .223 caliber rifle.   In total, the defendant possessed twenty-nine (29) rounds of .223 caliber ammunition, forty (40) rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, twenty-five (25) rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, and six (6) rounds of 9mm ammunition.  EDWARDS also possessed 29.17 grams of heroin and forty-one (41) 30-mg individual dosage units of oxycodone with the intent to distribute the heroin and oxycodone.

On September 5, 2017, Louisiana State Probation and Parole agents, having reasonable suspicion that EDWARDS had been engaged in criminal activity, conducted a compliance check and search of his home where they located the firearms, ammunition, heroin, and oxycodone.  The loaded Bushmaster rifle was located just inside a closet in the bedroom where the oxycodone and heroin were located. 

EDWARDS was previously convicted of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and possession of MDMA, both felonies punishable by a term of imprisonment greater than one (1) year, in East Baton Rouge Parish. 

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “The fact that Mr. Edwards, a two-time convicted felon out on probation, possessed guns and possessed with the intent to distribute illegal drugs demonstrates a blatant disregard for the judicial system and for the court.  This conviction reaffirms our commitment to hold accountable those whose disregard for the law endangers hard-working, law-abiding citizens in our communities.  I am grateful for the efforts of our prosecutor and for the Louisiana State Office of Probation and Parole and the ATF whose collaboration contributed greatly to this conviction.”

This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with substantial assistance from Louisiana State Probation and Parole.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Will Morris.