Joseph Carlton Etienne, a 40-year-old resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced this week to 71 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for the illegal possession of a firearm. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr., in the Lake Charles Division of the Western District of Louisiana.
The charges stemmed from an incident on September 7, 2022, when Etienne was spotted by detectives from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office at a Dollar General store. Etienne, aware of outstanding warrants for his arrest, attempted to leave the store. However, law enforcement officers stopped and arrested him. During a search of his vehicle, they discovered a Glock 9mm handgun along with ammunition. Etienne, who has several prior felony convictions, was fully aware that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Etienne’s criminal history includes convictions for possession of controlled dangerous substances, resisting an officer, and attempted possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. In March 2024, a federal grand jury indicted him for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On September 6, 2024, Etienne pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting to possessing the firearm and ammunition despite knowing he was legally barred from doing so.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in collaboration with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Casey N. Richmond.
This prosecution is part of the federal initiative Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels. PSN works to develop effective, community-driven strategies to combat violent crime and ensure safer neighborhoods.