Lafayette man sentenced to 41 months in prison for possessing a firearm after felony conviction

LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Lafayette man was sentenced to 41 months in prison for possessing a pistol and ammunition after being convicted of a felony.

Damion Hamilton, 32, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. Hamilton was found guilty after a three-day trial that ended on October 13, 2016. Evidence admitted at trial showed that on January 19, 2016 a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle Hamilton was driving. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and a gun safe was found on the back seat. The safe contained an FNS-40 .40 caliber pistol and ammunition. Hamilton’s DNA and fingerprints were found on the loaded magazine.

This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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 Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.