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Three Louisiana Men Sentenced in Federal Court for Illegal Possession of Firearms

Louisiana – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of three defendants for illegally possessing firearms. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the three men in United States District Court in Louisiana.

Paul Wilson, 49, of Lake Arthur, Louisiana, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. On November 30, 2019, deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint of a dog being shot. During their investigation, deputies discovered that Wilson shot the victim’s dog at his home. Wilson was found in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun when deputies arrived on the scene, where he was still present. Wilson was discovered in possession of a Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol on a separate occasion in May of 2020. Wilson is forbidden from carrying any firearms or ammo due to a prior felony conviction for aggravated violence. On September 15, 2022, he was charged in an indictment and pleaded guilty. The ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

Robert Joubert, 38, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. In this instance, Lake Charles Police Department officers were alerted of an abandoned vehicle and a dispute between Joubert and his girlfriend. The couple had fled the scene. Officers began searching for the suspects and found them a few blocks away walking. Officers ordered Joubert, who was carrying a camouflage-colored backpack, to stop, but he proceeded to walk away. The officer noticed him tossing something under a nearby residence that was later identified as a marijuana blunt. Joubert was detained and confessed to tossing his backpack into a neighboring trash can. Officers discovered synthetic marijuana, Ecstasy, a digital scale, and a handgun in the backpack. Joubert had three prior felony convictions for drug possession and weapon possession while in possession of a controlled substance. Joubert entered a plea of guilt on October 26, 2022. The ATF and the Lake Charles Police Department investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

58-year-old Brian W. Chappell of LaPlace, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of guns. Chappell was charged with unregistered firearm possession and firearm possession without a serial number. On October 5, 2022, Chappell pleaded guilty to the charges. On September 29, 2021, Leesville Police Department officers stopped a tow vehicle being driven by Chappell. Officers from the Leesville Police Department and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Chappell’s vehicle. During their investigation, police discovered multiple weapons and three suppressors. Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) discovered that the suppressors contained the same components as a silencer. Chappell admitted that he possessed silencers that were not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required. The ATF, Leesville Police Department, and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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