Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Fully Automatic "Uzi" Machinegun

United States Attorney Brandon Fremin announced that yesterday United States District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced MARCUS JOSHUA LUTER, age 30, of Gonzales, Louisiana, to 52 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release following his conviction for possession of firearms by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). 

LUTER’s prosecution arose from an undercover operation conducted by the Denham Springs Police Department.  Acting on a tip that the defendant was interested in finding black market buyers for firearms that he intended to burglarize from a residence, on February 5, 2017, an undercover officer with the Denham Springs Police Department met with the defendant at a prearranged location.  After wiping down a fully automatic Uzi machinegun and a .308 semi-automatic rifle with a towel, the defendant joked that he did not want his fingerprints on a weapon.  The defendant then sold both weapons to the undercover officer for $3,500 in cash and was subsequently arrested.  In September of 2013, LUTER had been convicted of simple burglary, a felony, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

Following a local news report, a victim who recognized the firearms, reported both as stolen from his residence.

U.S. Attorney Brandon Fremin stated, “I commend the excellent work of the agents, prosecutors, and victim in this matter, especially the Denham Springs Police Department whose interception of these firearms before they could circulate on the black market may very well have saved lives.”

The matter is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Baton Rouge Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Denham Springs Police Department.  The matter has been prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth E. White and J. Brady Casey.