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On June 20, 2023, Bogalusa resident Carlos Walker, age 33, was sentenced by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to 87 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $300.00 special assessment fee, as announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Walker was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).

The sentence consisted of 27 months imprisonment for the felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute counts and an additional 60 months imprisonment for the possession in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime count.

According to court documents, on September 24, 2021,  Bogalusa Police Department officers observed a black Nissan Altima with a non-functioning headlight driving in Bogalusa, Louisiana. After stopping and approaching the vehicle, the officers saw Walker in the front passenger seat kicking his legs as if he was shoving something under the seat.  One of the officers recognized Walker and remembered that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

After confirming the warrant, the officers arrested and searched Walker, locating approximately $4,000.00 in his pocket. Officers also saw a Taurus Model G2C, a nine-millimeter handgun, under the passenger seat and located a small clear wrap containing 17 grams of methamphetamine in the front passenger door pocket.  A review of Walker’s criminal record revealed that he had a prior felony drug conviction for drug and firearm violations.

Walker’s 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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bogalusa Police Department, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.