La Crosse, WI – Briante Banks, 31, of La Crosse, is headed to federal prison after receiving a 2 ½ year sentence for possessing a stolen firearm as a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley delivered the sentence today, adding a three-year term of supervised release to the penalty.
The case unfolded after Banks was arrested May 2, 2023, for violating the terms of his state probation. A subsequent search revealed Banks carrying a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. Investigators quickly determined the weapon had been snatched from a La Crosse area gun shop – a clear indicator of the cycle of violence fueled by stolen weapons hitting the streets.
Banks’ criminal history makes the charge particularly serious. He’s legally barred from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions related to drug trafficking. Despite a decade under state supervision since 2014, Banks has consistently failed to comply with the rules, raising concerns about his commitment to rehabilitation.
Judge Conley didn’t mince words during sentencing. He bluntly told Banks he hadn’t learned from his mistakes, and warned that without serious effort during incarceration and diligent follow-up with his probation officer, a return trip to prison was almost guaranteed. It’s a familiar refrain for repeat offenders, but one that carries weight when a firearm is involved.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the La Crosse Police Department, the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted the case, highlighting the federal commitment to tackling gun crime at the local level.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program focused on reducing violent crime. PSN prioritizes coordinated efforts between federal and state authorities to target gun violence, specifically focusing on illegal firearm possession by felons and crimes involving firearms and drug trafficking. The program aims to disrupt the flow of illegal guns and hold those who misuse them accountable.
Related Federal Cases
- Briante Banks, Stolen Firearm Possession, Wisconsin 2024 · Alabama
- Briante Banks Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Possessing Stolen Firearm as Felon · Wisconsin
- Anthony James, Unlawful Firearm Possession, La Crosse WI, 2023 · Illinois
- Kavant Smith, Possession of a Loaded Firearm by a Convicted Felon, … · Wisconsin
- Christopher Hutton, Illegal Firearm Possession, Hammond IN, 2023 · Illinois
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons