Louisiana Felon Sentenced to Prison After Being Found in Possession of a Firearm During a Traffic Stop

Louisiana – On July 1, 2022, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Xzavier Dyson, 23, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge R. Summerhays to 42 months (3 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on firearms charges.

Dyson was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2021 and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On March 23, 2022, he pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge stems from an incident on May 26, 2020, when Dyson was a rear passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation in Abbeville, Louisiana. The driver agreed to a search of the vehicle, and law enforcement officers patted down each occupant of the vehicle. The deputy discovered a Cobra.380 pistol on Dyson’s person and confiscated it.

Dyson had a prior felony conviction in 2018 for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and illegal carrying of a weapon, and he was on probation at the time of this offense. As a convicted felon, he is not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.

The ATF and the Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. 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 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.