Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BATON ROUGE, LA ‐ United States Attorney Walt Green announced that Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson has sentenced LARRY W. KELLY, JR., age 37, of Baker, Louisiana, to serve 262 months in federal prison, after a jury convicted him of possessing a firearm and ammunition while a convicted felon.

 

KELLY had previously been indicted and charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, arising out of an incident on April 14, 2015, in Baton Rouge. KELLY proceeded to trial in March of 2016. During the trial, the evidence established that, on April 14, 2015, the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) received a 911 call that reported that the defendant, who had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, was threatening to shoot his father. When BRPD officers responded to the scene, the defendant fled and attempted to hide a loaded firearm in the backyard of a house. Officers eventually secured the defendant and located the firearm and ammunition. On March 22, 2016, following a multi‐day jury trial, the defendant was convicted of possessing a firearm and ammunition while a convicted felon.

 

At today’s sentencing, Chief Judge Jackson found that KELLY qualified as an armed career criminal under federal law and sentenced KELLY to serve more than 21 years in prison for his latest crime.

 

U.S. Attorney Green stated: “Keeping guns out of the hands of violent felons has long been one of the top priorities of this office. This case is another example of the danger that these offenders can pose in our communities, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who illegally possess firearms and use them to endanger the lives of other citizens.”

 

“Today a dangerous, violent criminal was removed from our community for a very long time,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Constance Hester. "I am extremely proud of the collaborative efforts put forth by ATF, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the United States Attorney's Office in securing such a significant federal sentence. ATF remains vigilant in combating gun violence to ensure safer neighborhoods."

 

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Baton Rouge City Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Ptashkin and Rene Salomon.