4 Louisiana Men Sentenced for Stealing More Than 30 Firearms from a Licensed Gun Dealer

Louisiana – On May 27, 2022, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four men had been sentenced for their roles in the theft of 32 firearms from a gun dealer in Maurice, Louisiana. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced the defendants as follows:

Damien Damon Briggs, 28, of Kaplan, Louisiana, was sentenced to 96 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Tawaski Tavon Lewis, 32, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

Travon Travel Citizen, 18, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Dante Citizen, 23, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced on March 2, 2022 to 14 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release.

The defendants all pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee. On September 7, 2021, all four men admitted to stealing 32 firearms from the premises of Swampland Trading Co., a licensed firearms dealer in Maurice, Louisiana. The licensee’s business inventory contained all 32 firearms.

“This is a great example of cooperation between federal and state law enforcement agencies,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Because of their synergy and cohesion, all 32 firearms were recovered the same night they were stolen, and Swampland Trading Co. was able to properly sell the firearms to customers who had a legal right to purchase them.”

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together law enforcement at all levels and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on violent criminals, which directs all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to collaborate with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, as well as the local community, to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. Visit www.justice.gov/psn to learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.