Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced today that TERRANCE THORNTON, age 24, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been convicted on one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. As a result of his conviction, THORNTON faces a significant term of imprisonment, fine, and a period of supervised release.
In a hearing before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles on Feb. 15, 2018, THORNTON pled guilty to possession of two firearms, a Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and a Century Arms 7.62 caliber semiautomatic rifle, after having been convicted of two felony offenses in 2013, including accessory after-the-fact to armed robbery, in the 19th Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge.
Following a high-speed car chase on July 31, 2017, THORNTON fled from Baton Rouge Police Officers on foot. As he fled, THORNTON hid a Glock pistol within a residential backyard. He later directed an associate to retrieve the hidden pistol and bring it to his residence. On Aug. 1, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence where they recovered the Glock pistol and a Century Arms 7.62 caliber rifle.
Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “The investigation of this offense, which involved a collective effort by several of our Violent Crime Strike Force partners, and the resulting conviction of THORNTON, reaffirm our resolve to pursue all avenues available to keep our community safe."
ATF Resident Agent-in-Charge Antonio L. Pittman stated, “Service to our community, through partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement, is on full display when we, along with the communities we help, take individuals with ties to violent crimes, such as THORNTON, off of our streets."
This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Baton Rouge Police Department, with substantial assistance from the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory and Fugitive Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Pugliese.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
