LaPlace Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison for Weapons Violation

NEW ORLEANS—LIONEL LATHERS, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to fifty (50) months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Fallon ordered that LATHERS be placed on three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.

According to the court documents, on December 16, 2009 LATHERS pled guilty admitting that before Judge Fallon on December 16, 2009, he was in possession of a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun when he was approached by Kenner Police Officers in the 2700 block of Acron Street. As the officer approached, LATHERS attempted to flee and dropped the shotgun. The defendant was arrested after a short chase. LATHERS further admitted that he is prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a 1993 felony conviction for attempted first degree murder in Jefferson Parish.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Kenner Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters of the Violent Crime Unit.