Shreveport felon pleads guilty to illegal possession of a firearm

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man previously convicted of a felony pleaded guilty last week possessing a .45 caliber pistol.

Jelantis J. Chatman, 22, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement officers arrested Chatman at his residence on July 12, 2017. During his arrest, officers discovered a Springfield Armory, model: XD45, .45 caliber pistol and ammunition. Chatman was previously convicted of a felony in 2015 and is not allowed to possess a firearm.

Chatman faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of May 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 safe 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 Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.