West Monroe man pleads guilty to illegally possessing four firearms

MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from West Monroe pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally possessing four firearms and ammunition.

Calvin E. Braswell Jr., 58, of West Monroe, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea will be final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement officers searched Braswell’s residence on February 22, 2017 after receiving a tip of drug activity there. During the search, officers found a High Standard, Model C, .22 caliber pistol; a Smith & Wesson Model CTF, .38 caliber revolver; a Heritage, Rough Rider, .22 caliber revolver; a Ruger, Target 22/45, .22 caliber pistol; and related ammunition. It is illegal for Braswell to possess firearms after being convicted of felonies on January 6, 2000 and July 17, 2008.

Braswell faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture of the weapons and a $250,000 fine. The court set a February 14, 2018 sentencing date.

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, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.