Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ORLANDO, Fla — U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Byron Louder, 34, Orlando, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Louder faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Louder that the U.S. intends to forfeit a Sig Sauer firearm, which is alleged to be involved in the offense.

According to the indictment, on Dec. 25, 2022, Louder possessed a firearm. At the time of the alleged offense, Louder had prior felony convictions for delivery of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orlando Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie A. McNeff.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.

###