Felon in Possession of Two Firearms Sentenced to Federal Prison

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced TERRANCE THORNTON, a 25-year-old resident of Baton Rouge, to 120 months in federal prison following his conviction of possessing two firearms by a convicted felon.  The Court further sentenced THORNTON to 3 years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.  The Court also ordered that the firearms possessed by THORNTON be forfeited.

Following a high-speed car chase on July 31, 2017, THORNTON fled from Baton Rouge Police Officers on foot.  As he fled, THORNTON hid a Glock pistol within a residential backyard.  He later directed an associate to retrieve the hidden pistol and bring it to his residence.  On August 1, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence where they recovered the Glock pistol and a Century Arms 7.62 caliber rifle.  In announcing the sentence, the Court specifically referenced the fact that THORNTON possessed both firearms in connection with his possession with intent to distribute cocaine and aggravated criminal damage to property associated with two drive-by shootings of residences in July 2017.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “Thornton’s sentence to 10 years in prison, which is the maximum statutory penalty that he faced, is a testament to the efforts of Federal, State, and local law enforcement partners working in concert to get violent offenders, such as Thornton, off of our streets.  It should also serve as a strong message to others engaged in any criminal conduct, to include violent crime, to return to life as a contributing member of society or face the consequence of a significant term of imprisonment.”

ATF Resident Agent-in-Charge Antonio L. Pittman stated, “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with our Federal, State, and Local Law enforcement partners continue to serve our communities by focusing our efforts on removing armed violent drug traffickers from our streets. Especially those that have no respect for the community or law enforcement.  We work diligently to protect our citizens by presenting relevant investigative work to our Middle District of Louisiana US Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution.”

This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Baton Rouge Police Department, with substantial assistance from the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory and Fugitive Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Pugliese.