Hammond Man Sentenced to 13.5 Years for Firearms and Drug Violations

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that BRANDON WATKINS, age 31, a resident of Hammond, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to distribution of cocaine and possession and sale of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced WATKINS to 162 months of incarceration, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, in September and October 2012, WATKINS sold quantities of cocaine and four stolen firearms to an undercover law enforcement agent.  Additionally, on July 17, 2013, WATKINS sold oxycodone pills to an undercover law enforcement agent.

Court records revealed that WATKINS was convicted on or about April 24, 2009, of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling in Tangipahoa Parish.  As such, he was prohibited from possessing firearm by both state and federal law.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff=’s Office, Hammond Police Department, and the ATF New Orleans Division Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Nolan D. Paige was in charge of the prosecution.