Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Delvin Fountain, age 30, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 180 months in federal prison following his conviction of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon. The Court further sentenced Fountain to 5 years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm involved be forfeited.

According to the factual basis in the record, a warrant was issued for Fountain’s arrest on January 24, 2019. On February 28, 2019, deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sherriff’s Office received a tip that Fountain was seen driving a black Lincoln sedan in the area of West Garland and Highland in Baton Rouge. While patrolling the area, deputies identified a vehicle matching the description provided by the tipster. Deputies followed the Lincoln in an unmarked vehicle into an apartment complex on West Roosevelt Street. Fountain exited the vehicle, leaving his door open, and walked towards the rear of the vehicle.

When other deputies arrived and parked their vehicles behind the Lincoln, Fountain attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended. After apprehending Fountain, deputies examined Fountain’s vehicle and observed a black Smith & Wesson Shield .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol sitting in plain view on top of the driver’s seat. Fountain admitted that the firearm found in the vehicle belonged to him.

Prior to possessing the firearm, Fountain was convicted in East Baton Rouge Parish in June 2010, of first degree robbery.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, "This conviction and sentence is a great example how federal and state law enforcement partners, working in concert with the community, can bring violent criminals to justice and make our streets safer. I want to thank my prosecutor, the ATF, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies for their decisive apprehension of this defendant."

"The substantial sentence imposed today sends a strong message to criminals that they will be held accountable for their actions," said ATF New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. "ATF is committed to collaborate with all of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to remove violent criminals from our neighborhoods and communities."

"The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is proud of the partnership we have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and appreciate their commitment to prosecute these cases on the federal level," Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said. "We look forward to continuing working together to combat the crime that plague our community."

This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with substantial assistance from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kashan Pathan.

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