Louisiana Felon Sentenced to Prison Again After Being Found in Possession of an AR-15 During a Traffic Stop

Louisiana – On October 7, 2022, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Orlando Rishawn Walter, 33, of Cedar Hill, Texas, was sentenced in a federal court in Louisiana. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Walter to 49 months (4 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

Walter was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in a December 2020 indictment, and he pled guilty to the crime on May 27, 2022. The accusations come from an incident on July 25, 2020, when Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies performed a traffic stop on a vehicle. The motorist was identified and asked to present proof of vehicle registration. When the driver opened the passenger door to grab the paperwork, the deputy observed another person, later identified as Walter, seated in the passenger seat. The deputy noticed the butt end of a rifle next to Walter, as well as Walter’s left hand on the firearm.

Walter was told to exit the vehicle slowly with his hands high, and as he did so, he fled into a neighboring cemetery. Walter was not apprehended by deputies at the time. Walter’s firearm was recovered from his vehicle, and deputies discovered it to be a loaded AR-15 pistol with a 30-round magazine, a round in the chamber, and the safety set to the off position.

Walter had prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances (2008) and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (2015), as well as DWI, according to ATF officials (2017). As a result, Walter was barred from owning a firearm or ammunition. Walter was apprehended and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm by agents.

The ATF and the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.