U.S. Attorney Jesse A. Laslovich | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal judge has convicted Paul Anthony LaFournaise, a resident of Boulder, for illegally possessing a firearm. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich following the verdict delivered by Chief U.S. Judge Brian M. Morris on December 4th after a one-day bench trial held on November 25th.
LaFournaise, aged 59, was found guilty of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and now faces up to 15 years in prison, alongside a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for April 16, 2025, with LaFournaise detained pending further proceedings.
The case details reveal that on May 11th, deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports involving LaFournaise threatening his sister over an allegedly stolen item—a "black bag." During the incident, LaFournaise also called 911 to report being punched by his brother. Following investigations at the family residence, deputies identified LaFournaise as the primary aggressor and arrested him for partner/family member assault.
Further investigation revealed that the sister had discovered items belonging to LaFournaise inside the black bag hidden under a sweatshirt in a flowerpot within a shed. The contents included a 9mm pistol, ammunition, drugs, and drug paraphernalia. Due to concerns about his status as a felon under state supervision prohibiting firearm possession, she hid these items from him.
LaFournaise admitted to investigators that he handled the gun and purchased the drugs found in the bag prior to May 11th. He confessed to hiding it earlier that day by placing it in a planter and covering it.
The prosecution is managed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigative efforts conducted by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Montana Probation and Parole; and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
This case aligns with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative law enforcement efforts focused on community safety enhancements across various levels.
