Shreveport, La. — A convicted felon was caught red-handed hiding a loaded .45 caliber pistol under his seat while idling in an apartment complex parking lot, leading to a federal guilty plea Wednesday. Charles M. Thomas, 21, of Shreveport, admitted to illegally possessing the firearm, a violation of federal law due to his prior felony convictions.
Thomas pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby on one count of felon in possession of a firearm. The plea, which will be finalized upon acceptance by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr., stems from a routine patrol that turned up dangerous results. A Shreveport Police officer spotted Thomas’s vehicle running in the Quail Creek Road complex lot and approached — only to see Thomas slip the loaded handgun beneath his seat.
The firearm was found with four live rounds chambered and ready. At the time, Thomas was legally barred from owning or handling any firearm due to three prior felony convictions for aggravated assault with a firearm, all from 2016. That violent criminal history triggered federal prosecution under strict gun laws targeting repeat offenders.
Now facing the full weight of federal sentencing, Thomas could be locked up for up to 10 years behind bars. In addition, he risks three years of supervised release following any prison term and a maximum fine of $250,000. A sentencing date has been set for May 18, 2018.
The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice initiative revived by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to combat rising violent crime. PSN prioritizes collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement to target habitual offenders who endanger communities with illegal firearms.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Shreveport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is handling the prosecution. Federal authorities say they’ll continue cracking down on illegal gun possession, especially among those with violent pasts.
Related Federal Cases
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- Shreveport Felon Aaron Troquille Pleads Guilty to Ammunition Possession · Louisiana
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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