GRETNA, LA – A local man is facing a decade behind bars after admitting to illegally possessing a silencer. Joseph Metzler, III, 44, of Gretna, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 2, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long to the charge of possession of an unregistered silencer – a serious federal offense.
The case began to unfold when federal agents received intelligence indicating Metzler was sourcing firearm parts directly from China. This isn’t some hobbyist building a rifle; authorities believe Metzler was actively circumventing U.S. laws designed to control the proliferation of dangerous weapons. A coordinated raid, executed by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department, turned up the unregistered silencer at Metzler’s residence.
According to court documents, Metzler never registered the device as required by federal law, specifically Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d). The possession of an unregistered silencer isn’t just a paperwork issue; it carries significant penalties, reflecting the dangers these devices pose. The ATF takes these cases seriously, as silencers can be used to suppress the sound of gunfire, making it more difficult to detect and potentially facilitating violent crime.
Metzler now faces up to ten years in federal prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release. A $250,000 fine is also on the table, along with a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. His sentencing is currently scheduled for July 23, 2024, giving the court time to consider the full scope of his crime and determine an appropriate punishment.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans highlighted that this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN emphasizes collaboration between all levels of law enforcement and community organizations, focusing on strategic enforcement and building trust to make neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in 2021.
Evans commended the joint effort of HSI, ATF, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for their work on the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegally obtaining and possessing weapons, even seemingly small components, carries serious consequences under federal law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward sentencing.
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Reid Taylor, Unregistered Firearm Silencer Possession, LA 2017 · Illinois
- Joseph Chad Castillo, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Louisiana 2022 · Illinois
- George Peterson, Silencer Possession, Louisiana 2024 · Louisiana
- John Wesley Smith, Possessing Unregistered Firearm Silencer, LA, 2023 · Louisiana
- Christopher Hutton, Illegal Firearm Possession, Hammond IN, 2023 · Illinois
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