Louisiana Fugitive Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Loaded Firearm As A Convicted Felon

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Sammie Ray Sewell, Jr. (43, Alexandria, LA) today pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Sewell faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on February 2, 2024, Sewell was located at a hotel in Fort Myers by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Fugitive Warrants Unit with two extraditable felony warrants out of Louisiana. When he was apprehended, deputies found Sewell in possession of a chamber loaded pistol with an extended magazine. There were multiple videos on Sewell’s social media account showing Sewell in possession of the pistol within days of his arrest. Sewell has been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated robbery. As a convicted felon, Sewell is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make out neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.