DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, January 30, 2015
Stephanie A. Finley
, United States Attorney
Contact: Henri LeJeune

Many Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Many resident was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possessing a shotgun and ammunition after being convicted of multiple felonies.

Jerry Kenneth Thompson Jr., 45, of Many, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition after a felony conviction. He was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.

According to evidence presented at the September 25, 2014, guilty plea, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) agents discovered Thompson on December 31, 2013, in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition while hunting on private property without permission and using a stolen deer stand. Thompson admitted to LDWF agents that he had prior felony convictions and knew he could not possess a firearm. Further investigation confirmed that Thompson had 26 convictions. Seven of the felony convictions were in California and included two convictions for grand theft, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, second degree burglary of a vehicle, possession with intent to sell a controlled substance with a gang affiliation enhancement, transportation of a controlled substance, and possession for sale of cocaine base. Thompson also had a prior felony conviction in Sabine Parish for simple burglary.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety.

The ATF and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

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New Orleans Field Division