New Iberia felon pleads guilty to possessing firearm purchased at Lafayette store, later used in video

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a felon from New Iberia pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm purchased at a Lafayette sporting goods store that he later displayed in a music video.

Jaymie Williams, 22, of New Iberia, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote. According to the guilty plea, Williams was present when a Century Arms, Model RAS47 firearm was purchased on March 11, 2018 at a sporting goods store in Lafayette. Williams later featured the firearm in one of his music videos entitled “BG Flow.” In the video, Williams handled the firearm in many scenes. He also possessed the firearm on April 18, 2017 when he entered a Lafayette gun shop. Williams also was previously convicted of a felony in 2017 that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for November 16, 2018.

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 Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.