Lou Arrington Welch, Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Texas 2021

Port Arthur Man Convicted of Federal Firearms Violation

A Port Arthur man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation after shooting a dog in Jefferson County, Texas. Lou Arrington Welch, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn.

The incident occurred on Dec. 29, 2020, when Port Arthur Police responded to a call reporting gunshots and the shooting of a dog. Officers discovered the wounded dog and learned from the owner that Welch had previously threatened to shoot her dog. Welch was stopped by police after a high-speed chase and admitted to shooting the dog. A pistol was recovered from his car, and further investigation revealed Welch had previously been convicted of felony drug violations in Jefferson County, making him prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.

“The fact that Welch would shoot an innocent animal speaks not only to his depravity, but also to his dangerousness,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “As a felon with a cruel heart, he is exactly the kind of person that should not be permitted to possess a firearm. Getting guns out of the hands of prohibited persons makes all of us—including man’s best friend—safer.”

Welch was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 3, 2021, and faces up to 10 years in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is 10 years, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, which focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Port Arthur Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove. Welch is scheduled to be sentenced after a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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