MONROE, La. – A local resident is facing up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing two unregistered shotguns.
Nelson Bell Jr., 51, of Monroe, pleaded guilty to the charges on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty.
According to the guilty plea, Monroe Police went to Bell’s home on October 23, 2017 in response to a complaint. The officers determined that Bell had fired a gun in the living room, hitting a couch across from where his wife was sitting, and then went outside and fired a shot into the air.
Officers found an ejected shell from the firearm on the living room floor and two shotguns, an Ithaca shotgun, Model 37, 12 gauge and a Browning shotgun, Model Light Twelve 12 gauge. Law enforcement agents measured the barrels of both shotguns and found they measured less than 18 inches in length, the minimum length required by law.
Bell admitted to possessing the firearms and that he was aware they were not registered as required by law. Under federal law, shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches must be registered.
Bell faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Doughty set the sentencing date for September 4, 2019.
The ATF and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.
Nelson Bell Jr. was charged with possessing two unregistered shotguns and could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He currently faces sentencing on September 4, 2019. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Monroe Police Department.
Bell’s sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty on September 4, 2019.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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