Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 110 Months in Federal Prison for Gun and Drug Charges

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Justin Williams, age 31, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 110 months in federal prison following his convictions for distribution of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.  The Court further sentenced Williams to serve five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm involved be forfeited.

According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on March 22, 2019, Williams sold heroin to a confidential informant from his vehicle in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office detectives subsequently stopped Williams’ vehicle, at which time heroin, a stolen Glock 9mm pistol with a fully loaded 30-round extended magazine, and $2,077.00 in cash were recovered.  Williams was previously convicted of illegal possession of stolen things and cruelty to the infirmed in 2009, and possession of Schedule II drugs in 2013.

U.S. Attorney Brandon Fremin stated, “Convicted felons like this defendant who illegally arm themselves and sell drugs, particularly opioids, create a dangerous situation for our citizens and for law enforcement and it must stop.  My office and our partners remain committed to punishing convicted criminals who do so.  Great credit goes to our partnership with local authorities for this result, and I want to thank our prosecutor, the ATF, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.

“In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our community, ATF will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess firearms,” said ATF New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn.  “ATF will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities and hold accountable those who threaten our safety.”

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with critical assistance from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William K. Morris.