A 53-year-old Rusk, Texas man has been sent to prison for violating federal firearms laws in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Larry Van Butcher, a.k.a. “Red,” was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on [Undisclosed Date].
Butcher pleaded guilty on October 29, 2020, to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He was initially interviewed by law enforcement on November 5, 2019, about illegal drug and firearms activities occurring at his residence.
Butcher confessed to using methamphetamine and marijuana as well as possessing numerous firearms. He admitted that he had been previously convicted in Cherokee County, Texas, for the misdemeanor offense of Assault Family Violence, which is a crime of domestic violence resulting in a federal prohibition on possessing firearms.
Law enforcement officers then traveled to Butcher’s residence and seized 20 firearms, including two that had been reported stolen. Butcher was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 18, 2020, and charged with federal firearms violations.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the U.S. Attorney’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes.
The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Smith County Sheriff’s Office; and the Tyler Police Department.
Defendant: Larry Van Butcher, a.k.a. “Red”
Criminal Charge: Being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm
City and State: Rusk, Texas
Exact Date: The crime occurred on November 5, 2019, and the sentencing occurred on [Undisclosed Date], but the guilty plea was on October 29, 2020.
Sentence or Outcome: 21 months in federal prison
Defendant’s Full Name: Larry Van Butcher
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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