Many woman pleads guilty to firearm charge

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a woman from Many pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing a short-barreled shotgun.

Christi Rene McPherson, 36, of Many, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun. According to information submitted at the guilty plea, McPherson contacted the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office in October of 2015, to find out if any of the firearms that she had allegedly taken from the home of her ex-boyfriend had been stolen. The deputy checked the serial numbers and informed McPherson that one of them had been stolen from the home of a local resident. The deputy then attempted to set up a meeting with McPherson to take possession of the firearm, but she failed to show up. McPherson was later found at a convenience store in possession of a black bag containing a 12-gauge shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, five grenade simulators, a Kevlar vest and other firearms.  McPherson was also found to be in possession of 3 grams of methamphetamine and 12 pills of Lorazepam.  Federal law requires that shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches long be registered.

McPherson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine and forfeiture of the seized items. A sentencing date of October 31, 2016, was set.

This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and 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.

The ATF and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.