Convicted Felon Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Crimes

 Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick sentenced Louis Butler, III, age 40, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 180 months in federal prison, following his convictions for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  The Court also sentenced Butler to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm involved be forfeited.  

According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on September 2, 2020, law enforcement officials executed a valid search warrant on Butler’s residence in Baton Rouge.  During the search, officials located approximately 244.6 grams of methamphetamine, three digital scales, baggies, packaging material, cutting agents (quinine), empty pill capsules, a loaded Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol, and $2,040 in cash.

During a post-Miranda interview, Butler admitted knowledge and possession of these items.  He further admitted that the substance recovered from his residence was, in fact, methamphetamine and that he sells methamphetamine to supplement his income.  Prior to possessing the firearm, Butler had two felony convictions:  In January 2008, Butler was convicted of illegal use of a weapon, and in November 2008, he was convicted of possession of cocaine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Travis stated, “Keeping guns out of the hands of violent felons is one of my office’s top priorities.   We will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state, and local partners to protect our district from chronic offenders.  I want to thank our prosecutors, the ATF, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.”

“One of ATF’s primary missions is to investigate illegal possession of firearms by violent individuals,” said New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn.  “ATF works with our law enforcement partners to ensure that violent criminals are held accountable for their actions.”

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with critical assistance from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy S. Johnson.