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Ja’Vontay Owens, 28, of Bogalusa, was recently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans on Wednesday.

Owens pleaded guilty to a three-count indictment charging him with drug and firearm offenses. The court imposed concurrent six-year sentences as to Counts 1 and 2, and a consecutive five-year sentence as to Count 3, followed by four years of supervised release. The court ordered Owens to pay a total of $300 in mandatory special assessment fees.

According to court documents, on Sept. 26, 2020, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputies executed a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Owens on Louisiana Highway 21 in Bogalusa. Deputies smelled marijuana on Owens and placed him under arrest. While searching Owens pursuant to his arrest, deputies retrieved approximately 27 grams of methamphetamine from Owens’ underwear. Deputies searched Owens’ vehicle and found approximately five grams of cocaine base, less than one gram of heroin, and a loaded black Glock, Model 19, nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol.

Owens is a previously convicted felon and was aware of his felon status prior to possession of the firearm.

This case was investigated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney André Jones.