BOGALUSA, LA – Vincent Peters, 33, of Bogalusa, Louisiana, has confessed his role in a 2020 mass shooting and a subsequent drug operation, pleading guilty to five federal charges on September 13, 2023. The guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance implicates Peters in a brazen shooting that left thirteen people wounded, four paralyzed, and reveals a pattern of narcotics distribution.
The violence erupted on May 16, 2020, during what authorities termed an “Unauthorized Assembly” – a “Celebration of Life” held for a recent murder victim. Hundreds gathered despite Phase I COVID-19 restrictions, and a dispute between rival groups quickly escalated into gunfire. Peters’ involvement, initially tied to the shooting, expanded during a joint investigation by the Bogalusa Police Department and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, revealing a parallel life peddling heroin and fentanyl.
According to court documents, investigators uncovered evidence of Peters selling illegal narcotics, making multiple controlled purchases of the drugs. A search of his residence turned up additional narcotics and, crucially, a firearm. This evidence directly linked Peters to both the violent outbreak and the ongoing drug trade plaguing the region. He now faces a hefty sentence for his crimes, with potential decades behind bars.
Specifically, Peters pled guilty to Count 1: Possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), carrying a potential sentence of 0-10 years and up to a $250,000 fine. Counts 3, 5, and 8 all center around distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C), each carrying a potential sentence of 0-20 years and up to a $1,000,000 fine, plus at least 3 years of supervised release. Finally, Count 9, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years, and potentially life in prison, with another $250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release. This sentence will be served consecutively to any other imposed.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, led by Duane A. Evans, is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program emphasizes community trust, support for local organizations, and focused law enforcement efforts. Peters also faces a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each charged count.
Peters’ sentencing is scheduled for January 3, 2024. The outcome of this case serves as a stark warning to those involved in gun violence and drug trafficking in Louisiana and beyond. The feds are watching, and those who choose to endanger communities will face severe consequences. This case underscores the ATF’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and protecting citizens from harm.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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