A Beaumont man was sentenced to federal prison on July 30 after pleading guilty to burglarizing a licensed firearms dealer in the Eastern District of Texas, according to U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Leonard Joseph Flowers, 60, received a sentence of 78 months in federal prison from U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone after admitting guilt to theft of a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer. The sentencing follows an incident on July 17, 2025, when three firearms were stolen during the burglary of a federally licensed gun store on East-Tex Freeway in Beaumont.
Court records show that Flowers turned himself in and admitted he smashed the front door and stole the firearms. Video surveillance identified the getaway vehicle linked to James Christopher Moffett, who was stopped later that day for a traffic violation and found with two stolen firearms. Moffett, also from Beaumont and a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced on June 4, 2026, to 87 months in federal prison.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), described as “the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe.” PSN is coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices across all federal districts with strategies tailored for specific community needs regarding violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Beaumont Police Department investigated this case; Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James prosecuted it. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas covers 43 counties including Beaumont; employs about 100 staff members including roughly 50 assistant attorneys; supports victims through dedicated services; prosecutes federal crimes; delivers civil litigation services; operates under the United States Department of Justice umbrella; and maintains offices across several cities including Lufkin and Tyler, according to the official website.