26-Year-Old Louisiana Felon Convicted of Possession of a Firearm After Police Find Loaded Weapon During Traffic Stop

Shreveport, Louisiana – A jury has convicted a Louisiana man of being a felon in possession of a firearm after he was found with a loaded rifle in a car during a traffic stop.

On Thursday, January 19, 2023, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon convicting Recardo Cartrell Pierce, 26, of Shreveport, of being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, on May 21, 2022, Bossier Parish Sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in Bossier. Pierce was the only passenger in a car driven by a female companion. When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered Pierce with his seat pushed all the way back near the back seat of the vehicle and leaned back. Deputies were granted permission to search the vehicle and discovered a backpack containing a Kel-Tec semi-automatic 5.56 caliber rifle with a loaded magazine and a pair of safety gloves in the back seat behind the driver's seat, just within Pierce's reach. With the safety switch turned off, this high-powered weapon had a round in the chamber ready to fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) joined the investigation and tested the firearm, which was found to be functional.

Pierce was arrested after deputies discovered he had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Pierce was previously convicted in federal court of the same charge in 2018.

“Through the joint investigative efforts of deputies with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and the ATF, the jury was able to hear and evaluate the evidence, deliberate and convict this defendant accordingly,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We look forward to the sentencing hearing where we will seek a stiff, but just, sentence of imprisonment.”

Pierce faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The date of his sentencing has been set for May 19, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Seth D. Reeg.