Bossier City man pleads guilty to possessing ammunition after being convicted of felonies

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a man from Bossier City pleaded guilty to possessing shotgun shells and bullets even though he was prohibited from doing so because he had prior felony convictions.

Sidney Joseph Patterson, 44, of Bossier City, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, on January 9, 2015, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies began investigating the discharge of a homemade “zip gun” firearm at Patterson’s residence which wounded Patterson in his back. Found at the residence was the discharged “zip gun” and three other “zip guns” loaded with two rounds of 12 gauge shotgun ammunition and one round of .380 caliber ammunition. Prior to this offense, Patterson had other felony drug convictions.

Patterson faces up to 10 years in prison, one to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of February 17, 2016 was set.

This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm and to promote firearm safety.

The ATF and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. is prosecuting the case.