Joseph Chad Castillo, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Louisiana 2022

SHREVEPORT, La. – Joseph Chad Castillo, 36, of Converse, Louisiana, has been handed a 30-month prison sentence for being a felon in possession of firearms.

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of Castillo, who was found guilty of violating federal firearm laws.

A deputy with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve an arrest warrant at a residence in Converse on December 26, 2022. During the encounter, a vehicle drove down the driveway and stopped, and the rear seat passenger, later identified as Castillo, fled into the woods.

After a brief pursuit, law enforcement officers stopped and searched the vehicle and found a Remington Model 1100 shotgun and a Remington Model 7600 rifle, as well as Castillo’s cell phone in the backseat. The rifle had an obliterated serial number and had been stolen from a private residence.

Castillo has two prior felony convictions, one for attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2018 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, and another for possession of Schedule II CDS in Desoto Parish in 2017. He knew of his felony convictions and that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Castillo pleaded guilty to the charge on August 16, 2023. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is a renewed focus on targeting violent criminals and bringing together law enforcement and communities to develop effective strategies to reduce violent crime.

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