Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Demarcus Davis, age 26, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 75 months in federal prison following his conviction of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon.   The Court further sentenced Davis to 3 years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm involved be forfeited.

According to admissions made as part of the guilty plea, on August 18, 2018, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office was conducting a sobriety checkpoint on Highway 42.  Davis’ vehicle was swerving as it entered the screening line, almost striking a metal guard rail, and Davis was seen reaching toward the floorboard upon entering the screening line.

Davis’ speech was rambling, his hands were shaking, and his travel plans did not make sense.   Detectives observed a pineapple Fanta soft drink in the console that appeared to contain a controlled substance.   Davis did not have a driver's license and admitted to being on probation for possession of codeine syrup.

After Davis provided verbal consent to search the vehicle, deputies noticed a plastic panel on the driver-side, lower-middle console that appeared to be broken or loose.  Upon removing the plastic piece, a loaded FN, Model Five-Seven, 5.7mm handgun was located.

Prior to possessing the firearm, Davis was convicted in East Baton Rouge Parish in March 2017 of possession of codeine and November 2014 of simple robbery.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “This conviction and sentence is the result of keen law enforcement and prosecution to ensure our district is free from convicted felons who illegally possess firearms.  I want to thank our prosecutor, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the ATF for their excellent work in removing this defendant from the streets of Livingston Parish.”

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard stated, “I am proud of those at the LPSO and those in our LPSO Narcotics Division.   Experience helped to break this case.  The working relationship we have with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office helped to make a solid case for prosecution.’

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, with substantial assistance from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Morris.