BATON ROUGE, LA – Shatner Lewis, 35, is headed to federal prison for 35 months after admitting to illegally possessing a handgun despite a prior felony conviction. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson, closes a case highlighting the persistent threat posed by repeat offenders flouting gun laws.
The bust originated with a routine traffic stop on December 5, 2022. A Baton Rouge Police Department officer pulled over the vehicle Lewis was riding in, leading to a search that uncovered a loaded Taurus G3c 9mm pistol. Lewis immediately claimed ownership of the weapon, sealing his fate.
Lewis wasn’t just any gun owner. Court records reveal a troubling past. In 2021, he was convicted of both manslaughter and attempted armed robbery in East Baton Rouge Parish. He was still actively serving parole for those convictions when officers found him with the pistol – a clear violation of federal law.
Federal prosecutors didn’t mince words. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wallace successfully argued that Lewis’s history demonstrated a disregard for the law and a danger to the community. The 35-month sentence isn’t just punishment; it’s a message, authorities say, that illegally possessing firearms after a felony conviction will not be tolerated.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Baton Rouge Police Department jointly investigated the case, showcasing the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling gun crime. In addition to the prison term, Lewis will face three years of supervised release upon his eventual release, and the firearm itself has been forfeited to the government.
This case is a stark reminder of the revolving door of justice that plagues many communities. While a 35-month sentence offers temporary relief, the question remains: will it be enough to rehabilitate Lewis and prevent him from re-offending? Only time will tell. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, led by Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., continues to prioritize cases involving violent crime and illegal firearms.
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