Felon in Possession of Stolen Firearm Sentenced to Federal Prison

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced LAKEITHDRICK HARRIS, a 25-year-old resident of Baton Rouge, to 46 months in federal prison as a result of his conviction for possessing a firearm while a convicted felon and possessing a stolen firearm.  The Court further sentenced HARRIS to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.

On April 21, 2017, a Baton Rouge City Police Department Officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by HARRIS near Ardenwood Drive in Baton Rouge.  After observing an unrestrained infant on the back seat of the vehicle and marijuana inside of the vehicle, the officer conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun between the driver’s seat and center console of the vehicle. An investigation of the firearm revealed that it had been reported stolen from a private residence in Ascension Parish. HARRIS admitted to purchasing the weapon knowing that it was stolen. Prior to the traffic stop, HARRIS had been convicted of illegal use of a weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm, both felony offenses.  On February 8, 2018, HARRIS pled guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); and one count of possession of a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(j). 

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “This case is yet another example of our unrelenting effort to aggressively pursue convicted felons who possess firearms.  In striving for a peaceful community, we must and will directly address those who present the greatest dangers to such peace.  Armed convicted felons certainly fall into that category.  I commend those in my office, the ATF, and the BRPD who worked together on this important matter.”   

ATF Resident Agent-in-Charge Antonio L. Pittman stated, “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to provide a safe environment for everyone to live.  ATF is proud to work with the United States Attorney’s Office to take a potentially violent offender from our streets and neighborhoods.”

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Baton Rouge Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Pugliese.