Shreveport man pleads guilty to possessing pistol after investigation into drug activity

SHREVEPORT, La. – Christopher W. Chatman, 37, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced. 

According to the guilty plea, the Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant on January 18, 2018 at the home where Chatman lived after the Shreveport Police had conducted an investigation on illegal drug activity at the residence.  Officers found three firearms, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, MDMA, packaging material, digital scales and mail addressed to Chatman at that address. Chatman admitted that the .40-caliber Berretta pistol, model: PX4 Storm belonged to him.   Under federal law, as a convicted felon, Chatman is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Chatman faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  Judge Hicks set the sentencing date for June 13, 2019.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The ATF, Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Task Force and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.