Maurice Butler, Firearms Possession by Convicted Felon, Louisiana 2023

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Maurice Butler, 35, is headed to federal prison for over eight years after a traffic stop exposed a stolen handgun and a criminal past that barred him from possessing one. U.S. District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter handed down the 102-month sentence on July 25, 2023, following Butler’s guilty plea.

The trouble began in May 2022 when St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled Butler over. They quickly learned he was wanted by the New Orleans Police Department in connection with an armed robbery. But the traffic stop revealed more than just an outstanding warrant. A Glock Model 17, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol was in plain view on the passenger seat of his vehicle. It was later determined to be stolen.

Federal prosecutors didn’t need the robbery connection to build a case. Court documents reveal Butler already had prior felony convictions on his record – convictions that legally prevented him from owning a firearm. He was charged with violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), the federal statutes prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms.

The case was a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department all contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Kennedy of the Violent Crime Unit handled the prosecution.

Federal officials are framing Butler’s sentencing as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategic enforcement.

In addition to the 102-month prison term, Butler will also serve a three-year term of supervised release after his incarceration. He’s also been ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing a firearm, especially with a criminal history, carries significant federal penalties.

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