Louisiana Man Sentenced to More Than 9 Years After Being Found in Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Drugs

Lafayette, Louisiana – A Louisiana man has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison after being found in possession of a stolen firearm and drugs.

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Bernell George, 39, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced for possession of a stolen firearm. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced George to 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On November 10, 2022, George pled guilty to a bill of information charging him with one count of possession of a stolen firearm. The charge stems from an event on September 20, 2017, when George was found with 15.7 grams of marijuana, a marijuana-laced hand-rolled cigarette, and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol with 11 rounds of ammo in the magazine. During their inquiry, investigators discovered that the pistol had been stolen from Iberia Parish. George admitted to having marijuana in his possession and purchasing the stolen handgun on the street.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John W. Nickel.