DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Middle District of Louisiana

For Immediate Release

Thursday, February 8, 2018
Corey Amundson
, United States Attorney
Contact: Danette Leblanc

Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 20-Year Federal Prison Term for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey Amundson announced today that Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson has sentenced DERRICK SHELBIA, age 40, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to serve 20 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. SHELBIA will also be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison.
 
In July 2017, SHELBIA pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. SHELBIA was apprehended for possessing a firearm after a spree of violent crimes in Ascension and East Baton Rouge Parishes during a one‐month period in October and November of 2016. SHELBIA’s crime spree ultimately ended after he was caught in a stolen car that he acquired during one of the armed robberies, through the cooperation of local police and the ATF.
 
SHELBIA was previously convicted of multiple armed robberies and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
 
Acting U.S. Attorney Corey Amundson stated, “Defendant Shelbia is a violent predator who deserves every minute of his 20‐year prison term. This is yet another illustration of how the federal firearms laws can be excellent tools in our collective fight against violent crime. I commend the agents, officers, and prosecutors who worked together on this important case, and I look forward to continuing to bring the fight to those
who seek to victimize our community.”
 
ATF‐Baton Rouge Resident Agent‐in‐Charge Antonio L. Pittman stated, "Through partnerships with our federal, state and local partners, ATF is able to contribute to the safety of our communities. The conviction and sentencing of DERRICK SHELBIA displays the commitment all law enforcement agencies have for the citizens of Louisiana.”
 
This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Department, Ascension Parish Sherriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cal Leipold.
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New Orleans Field Division