Lake Charles Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Firearm After Pointing it at Someone During an Argument

Lake Charles, Louisiana – On August 4, 2022, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that James J. Julian, 37, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. for illegal possession of a firearm. Julian was sentenced to 84 months (7 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Julian was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and pled guilty on May 3, 2022. The charge arises from an incident on March 3, 2020, when Julian got into an argument with a female at her Lake Charles, Louisiana home. Julian pulled a silver revolver and aimed it at the female during their argument. There were children present who observed the incident, and one of them intervened until Julian fled the house with the firearm on foot.

Police were called to the house and searched for Julian. Behind the victim’s house was an abandoned house where officers discovered a silver High Standard.22 caliber revolver, which the victim recognized as the one Julian had pointed at her. Julian admitted to officers that he was in possession of a handgun. He had a past felony conviction for cocaine distribution in 2014 and was aware that he was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammo.

The ATF and the Lake Charles Police Department investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

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 minimize violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s increased 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 establish effective, locally-based initiatives to reduce violent crime. Visit www.justice.gov/psn to learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.