Steven Re, 41, is facing federal charges after being indicted on two counts of possession of stolen firearms, according to U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The charges, filed February 15, 2018, stem from Re’s alleged possession of three firearms he knew or should have known were stolen.
The indictment details that Re possessed a .22 caliber rifle, a .410 gauge shotgun, and a 20-gauge shotgun — all believed to have been taken illegally. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(j), each count carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
Federal prosecutors are treating the case as a serious breach of firearms law, emphasizing that stolen weapons fuel broader criminal activity. U.S. Attorney Evans stressed that while the indictment marks a critical step, it remains a formal accusation — guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), whose agents have increasingly focused on intercepting stolen firearms before they enter the underground market. Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan McLaren is prosecuting the case, building on evidence gathered during a targeted probe into illegal firearm transfers.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide effort reinvigorated in October 2017 under direction from then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The initiative directs U.S. Attorney’s Offices to craft localized strategies to combat violent crime by leveraging federal resources and interagency cooperation.
With violent crime trends under federal scrutiny, cases like Re’s highlight the government’s push to disrupt the flow of stolen weapons. Authorities say even non-violent firearm offenses can have deadly downstream consequences — making prosecutions like this a cornerstone of broader public safety efforts across Louisiana and beyond.
RELATED: Ute Mountain Ute Embezzlement Ring Busted in Colorado
RELATED: Kimberly Pitts Gets 41 Months for $768K Embezzlement
Related Federal Cases
- Trevoir Jackson Charged with Stolen Firearm Possession · Louisiana
- Elmwood Man Charged with Felon in Possession of Firearms · Louisiana
- La Nuestra Familia Leaders Busted for Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Firearms · Arkansas
- Carlsbad Felon Lozuaway Admits to Gun Possession · Colorado
- Hammond Man Charged with Illegal Gun Possession · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More