Jena man arrested for illegal possession of silencers

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Jena man pleaded guilty Monday to possessing unregistered silencers, which he also constructed and sold.

Robert E. Durham, 34, of Jena, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. It will become final once accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. According to the guilty plea, the defendant was recorded setting up a sale of silencers with an undercover ATF agent. They met on May 10, 2016 in Winnfield, La., and the undercover agent purchased three silencers. Law enforcement agents then searched Durham’s home on May 19, 2016. They found and seized silencers, homemade firearm suppressors, ammunition, tools and a drill press to make silencers, silencer parts, and packaged “solvent trap kits,” which are also used to make silencers. The silencers and silencer parts and kits are defined as firearms according to federal law and are required to be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The illegal silencers Durham possessed were not registered.

Durham faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.  A sentencing date of October 5, 2016 was set.

The ATF and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.