BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that Chief United States District Judge Shelly D. Dick sentenced Gaylen T. Hall, a 41-year-old resident of Prairieville, Louisiana, to 72 months in federal prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Court further sentenced Hall to 3 years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, and ordered that the firearm possessed by Hall be forfeited.
According to the factual basis submitted during Hall’s guilty plea, on Jan. 30, 2019, a Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Tahoe near the intersection of Juban Road and Interstate 12. After a brief stop, the Tahoe drove off before the Deputy could contact the occupants. During the pursuit, Hall, the front seat passenger, threw methamphetamine, a Sig Sauer firearm, and various other items out of the front passenger-side window of the Tahoe. Hall had instructed the driver to drive off after the initial stop.
The Tahoe eventually stopped along the side of Interstate 12. After detaining the driver and Hall, deputies approached an open door of the Tahoe and observed what appeared to be methamphetamine littered throughout the interior compartment. During the subsequent search, deputies recovered digital scales, several clear plastic sandwich bags, a box containing 84 rounds of.45 caliber ammunition, plastic straws, $100 in cash, a quantity of methamphetamine, and a damaged Samsung smartphone on the front passenger seat.
Meanwhile, other responding deputies canvassed the side of the road along the pursuit route. These deputies recovered plastic sandwich bags containing a quantity of methamphetamine, the Sig Sauer firearm with one live round of Remington.45 caliber ammunition in the chamber, and other items. In total, deputies recovered 30.17 grams of methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “Our office continues to work hard to keep firearms and illegal drugs out of the hands of drug dealers. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will utilize our resources to keep our communities safe. I want to thank our prosecutors, and our federal, state, and local partners for their efforts."
“This individual disregarded both the law and the safety of others," said ATF New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “It is imperative that armed drug dealers are taken out of the community they victimize and before a tragedy can occur."
“I am proud of my deputies for working hard to help maintain the safety of Livingston Parish. I would hope that this sends a clear message to criminals who choose this lifestyle. We will not tolerate this type of activity. As always, I appreciate the cooperation between law enforcement agencies & the working relationship we have with the US Attorney," said Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard.
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 Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, with substantial assistance from the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Dippel and Alan Stevens, who also serve as Deputy Criminal Chiefs.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
