Downsville man sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing firearms, ammunition after being convicted of a felony

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Downsville man was sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing firearms, ammunition and an unregistered silencer after he was previously convicted of a felony.

William David Futch, 44, of Downsville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm silencer. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit the silencer, firearms and ammunition seized during the investigation.  According to the February 9, 2016 guilty plea, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint on April 11, 2014 that Futch was at his home firing shots.  During this investigation, Futch was found in possession of a .45/.410 revolver, a 12 gauge shotgun, .a 22 caliber rifle with scope, a .22 caliber stainless rifle, a .22 caliber rifle with scope and bipod, a third .22 caliber rifle, a .223 caliber rifle, a 9 mm handgun, a .40 caliber handgun, ammunition and a firearm silencer.  He was previously convicted of a felony on three separate occasions.

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 Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.