BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Walt Green announced that last night a federal jury convicted Larry W. Kelly, Jr., age 36, of Baker, Louisiana, of possessing a firearm and ammunition while a convicted felon. The verdict followed a multi-day jury trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14, 2016.
The evidence at trial established that, on April 14, 2015, the Baton Rouge Police Department received a 911 call that reported that the defendant, who had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, was threatening to shoot the defendant’s father. When BRPD officers responded to the scene, the defendant fled and attempted to hide a firearm in the backyard of a house. Officers eventually secured the defendant and located the firearm. Because his criminal history makes him an armed career criminal under federal law, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Green stated: “Through this jury verdict, our community has once again demonstrated its intolerance toward convicted felons with guns. Armed felons pose a threat to our safety and security and will continue to receive our well-deserved attention, particularly armed career criminals, like the defendant in this matter. I appreciate the hard work of the ATF, BRPD, and our prosecutors who collectively helped to ensure justice and a safer community for all.”
ASAC Kurt Thielhorn stated: “ATF remains focused on reducing firearm violence. This is an example of ATF working with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from the most violent criminals.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Baton Rouge City Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Ptashkin and Rene Salomon.