Felon in Possession of a Firearm Sentenced to Federal Prison

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that U.S. Chief Judge Shelley D. Dick sentenced LESTER DESMOULIN, a 32-year-old resident of Baton Rouge, to 96 months in federal prison following his conviction for possessing a firearm by a convicted felon.  The Court further sentenced DESMOULIN to 3 years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, and ordered that the firearm possessed by DESMOULIN be forfeited.

On July 31, 2017, DESMOULIN, who was previously convicted of a felony, took a phone call from his friend, Terrance Thornton, after Thornton had been arrested on several fugitive warrants.  During the call, Thornton advised DESMOULIN that during an earlier chase by police, he had successfully hidden his Glock pistol in the backyard of a residence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before his arrest.  At Thornton’s request, DESMOULIN went to the residence and took possession of the firearm.  On August 1, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at an apartment that DESMOULIN shared with Thornton in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and, among other things, the Glock pistol was recovered.  In October 2018, Thornton was sentenced to a term of 120 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of the Glock and a 7.62mm semi-automatic rifle.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “DESMOULIN’s sentence to 8 years in prison is another stern sentence imposed in our efforts to combat violent crime.  It highlights the continuing success of our joint Federal, State, and local law enforcement effort to ensure the safety of our community.   It also highlights our effort to convince repeat offenders, such as DESMOULIN, to return to life as a contributing member of society or face the consequence of a significant term of imprisonment.”

“ATF, along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will continue to focus our efforts on removing armed violent criminals from our streets,” said ATF New Orleans Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Kristen deTineo." ATF and our partners remain committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who seek to disrupt communities and harm law abiding citizens.”

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 Baton Rouge Police Department, with substantial assistance from the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory and Fugitive Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Pugliese.