Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SHREVEPORT, La. — U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of Lionel George Somersall, Jr., 45, of Many, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Somersall was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 195 months (16 years, three months) in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

According to information presented in court, on Sept. 13, 2021, Somersall and a female were driving in a vehicle which did not have a proper license plate. A Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy performed a traffic stop of the vehicle. Somersall was the driver of the vehicle and did not have a valid driver’s license. A K9 deputy was brought to the scene and the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. After searching the vehicle, deputies found a Charter Arms .38 Special revolver inside. Both Somersall and his passenger were convicted felons and were prohibited from possessing a firearm. Law enforcement agents conducted a search of the gun’s history and found that it had been reported as stolen. Somersall and his passenger were both arrested.

Agents learned through their investigation that Somersall’s passenger told a co-defendant that she had thrown a bag full of illegal drugs out the window of the vehicle prior to them being stopped. A subsequent search was conducted of the area and deputies found a bag containing ammunition and receipts to Somersall. In addition, they discovered approximately 170 grams of methamphetamine inside the bag. Law enforcement agents were able to examine Somersall’s phone and found text messages discussing the distribution of methamphetamine. Somersall also later admitted to law enforcement agents that he possessed the firearm located inside the vehicle.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

The investigation and conviction of Somersall is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

###