LAKE CHARLES, La. – Louis Jones, 26, is headed to federal prison for 27 months after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a pistol and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter handed down the sentence Thursday, along with three years of supervised release following his incarceration. The case underscores the relentless federal crackdown on illegal gun possession by those with criminal records.
The trouble started back on June 15, 2018, when Lake Charles Police responded to a call reporting a man – later identified as Jones – pointing a firearm at a customer inside a local business. A sharp-eyed caller didn’t just report the incident; they tracked Jones’ vehicle, relaying its location to responding officers as he cruised through the city. This real-time tracking proved crucial in intercepting the suspect.
Police quickly located Jones and questioned him about the incident. After securing consent to search his vehicle, officers found a Model PT92 AFS .9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition chilling in the front passenger seat. Jones reportedly confessed to being at the business and owning the weapon. It was a confession that sealed his fate, considering his prior criminal history.
That history includes a 2014 conviction for possession of cocaine. As a convicted felon, Jones was legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition. The discovery of the pistol triggered the federal charges, and he ultimately pleaded guilty on October 31, 2019. This wasn’t a simple mistake; it was a deliberate violation of federal law with serious consequences.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Lake Charles Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting a solid argument for a significant sentence. This collaboration demonstrates the power of multi-agency cooperation in tackling violent crime.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive, evidence-based program aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses on identifying the most dangerous offenders and partnering with local organizations to prevent future crime and facilitate successful reentry for those released from prison. It’s a long-term strategy, but one officials believe is vital to making communities safer – one gun and one criminal at a time.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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