Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Illegal Possession of Firearms Leads to Time in Federal Prison for Two Men from Lake Charles Area
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants for illegally possessing firearms in the Western District of Louisiana.
Brian Damar Paul, 35, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 33 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On December 31, 2020, investigators with the Lake Charles Police Department were dispatched to a residence in Lake Charles. Prior to their arrival, investigators learned that the Paul was in the residence with a firearm and was refusing to leave. Upon their arrival, Paul was asked to step outside the residence and when he emerged, they observed him place a handgun in the trashcan near the front door. The firearm was seized and after being advised of his Miranda rights, Paul consented to an interview. Paul stated that he had stolen the firearm from a female friend while at her house and then brought it to his residence. When he saw investigators arrive, he threw the firearm in the trashcan. Paul has a previous felony conviction for armed robbery in 2008 and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Lake Charles Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.
Miguel Morales-Duran, 33, a citizen of Mexico, has been sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 1 year and 1 day in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release. Morales-Duran was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. He pleaded guilty to the charge on March 30, 2022. Officers with the Broussard Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in Broussard, Louisiana on December 25, 2021. The complainant stated that shots were heard coming from a residence nearby. When officers made contact with one of the males at that residence, they stated that Morales-Duran had fired the shots in the backyard. A Glock, Model 22, .40 caliber handgun was found in the residence and Morales-Duran was arrested. He admitted to police officers that he had fired the handgun and knew that he was an alien illegally and unlawfully present in the United States.
This case was investigated by the ATF and Broussard Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo.
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