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Louisiana Man Sentenced to 6 Years After Being Found with Stolen Firearm

Louisiana – On May 16, 2022, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Lovoriss Montray Powell, 39, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

A trooper with the Louisiana State Police stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on May 9, 2020, and Powell was identified as the driver and sole occupant. Powell agreed when the trooper asked for permission to search the vehicle. During the search, the trooper discovered a loaded 9mm handgun beneath the driver’s seat. Powell was arrested and later admitted that he had placed the firearm under the seat and was aware that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions. The firearm was stolen, according to an investigation conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Powell’s prior felony convictions are for simple burglary (2000), accessory after the fact armed robbery (2001), illegal use of a weapon (2002), and domestic abuse battery (2010).

“Although this defendant has multiple felony convictions and has not even reached 20 years old, he still chose to illegally possess a stolen firearm,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Given the epidemic concerning the illegal possession of firearms by young adults in the Shreveport area, I want it to be clear that the United States Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute similarly situated young adults who violate federal firearm laws and will seek sentences of imprisonment.”

The ATF and Louisiana State Police investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.

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.

A previous release indicated that Lovoriss Montray Powell was 19.

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