KENA JAMES, age 23, and HILTON FLUKER, age 25, both residents of Avondale, Louisiana, pled guilty before U. S. District Court Judge Helen G. Berrigan, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

JAMES pled guilty to illegally obtaining a Roman-Dracko, 7.62 “AK-47" style assault rifle (for FLUKER) and conspiracy to acquire a firearm by providing a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

FLUKER, a previously convicted felon, pled guilty to illegally obtaining a Roman-Dracko, 7.62 “AK-47" style assault rifle, illegally possession of ammunition and conspiracy to acquire a firearm by providing a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with detectives from Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) and officers from the Kenner Police Department (KPD) were involved in an operation, on June 25, 2011, at the Great Southern Gun and Knife Show at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, LA, targeting the illegal diversion of firearms from legal commerce by third party “straw purchasers” to prohibited individuals.

U. S. Attorney Jim Letten stated:

“In order to protect the safety of our citizens and the recovery of our community; and recognizing the constitutional right of law abiding citizens to legally acquire and possess firearms, the U. S. Department of Justice, including the U. S. Attorney’s Office, ATF and our enforcement partners, will continue to enforce federal laws which prohibit the possession of firearms and ammunition by convicted felons, and which further prohibit individuals from falsifying federal forms in an attempt to fraudulently arm convicted felons through “straw purchases.” Today’s case is yet another clear signal that prosecuting prohibited persons and those who assist them in illegally obtaining firearms is an important part of our strategy to reduce gun crime.”

Each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years, maximum fines of $500,000 and a term of supervised release following imprisonment of three (3) years. Judge Berrigan reserved her acceptance of each defendants’ guilty plea, ordered a pre-sentence investigation and report for the court and set both defendant’s sentencing for March 14, 2012. Both JAMES and FLUKER were remanded to jail, pending sentencing.

The case was investigated by agents for the Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms, Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney, Tony Gordon Sanders.

(Download Factual Basis for Hilton Fluker )

(Download Factual Basis for Kena James )

 

 

 

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