Jorel Hughes, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Louisiana 2023

LAFAYETTE, LA – Jorel Hughes, 40, of Opelousas, is headed to federal prison for over ten years after a bizarre incident involving a stolen gun, a drug overdose, and a high-speed flight from Lafayette police. U.S. District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Hughes to 126 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty on August 18th to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The trouble began July 12, 2022, at a RaceTrac gas station in Lafayette. Officers discovered Hughes slumped over the wheel of a vehicle, seemingly unconscious from drug use. First responders administered two doses of Narcan to revive him. Before Hughes regained consciousness, officers spotted two firearms within reach inside the vehicle – one of which was later determined to be stolen.

But Hughes wasn’t content to simply be revived and questioned. Upon waking, he resisted officers’ attempts to detain him, even attempting to disarm one. He then floored the vehicle, crashing into other cars as he barreled out of the gas station parking lot. The ensuing chase saw Hughes fleeing at a high rate of speed before ultimately losing control and crashing into a drainage ditch.

Even after the crash, Hughes wasn’t finished running. He bailed from the wrecked vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but officers quickly apprehended him. He later confessed to being a convicted felon and knowingly possessing the firearms, despite being legally prohibited from doing so.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Lafayette Police Department, and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case. Federal officials are touting this case as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a program aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative law enforcement efforts.

This case highlights the dangers posed by illegally possessed firearms and the lengths to which some convicted felons will go to avoid accountability. Hughes’ reckless actions put lives at risk and will now cost him over a decade of his freedom. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, led by Brandon B. Brown, continues to prioritize cases involving violent crime and illegal firearms.

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