Monroe felon pleads guilty to possessing shotgun

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a Monroe felon pleaded guilty to possessing a 12-gauge shotgun.

Adrian Terrell Riser, 32, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, a Monroe Police Officer observed Riser on February 28, 2018 outside of an apartment on Richwood Road with a firearm in the left leg of his pants. He was arrested, and the weapon was found to be a Maverick Arms 12-gauge shotgun loaded with six rounds of ammunition. The defendant was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2012, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 2014 and possession of cocaine in 2016. These felonies barred him from possessing a firearm under federal law.

Riser faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for January 2, 2019.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The ATF and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.