U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of Joseph Carlton Etienne, a 40-year-old resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Etienne received a sentence of 71 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm.
The case unfolded when detectives from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office located Etienne at a Dollar General on September 7, 2022, due to outstanding warrants. Upon noticing law enforcement presence, Etienne attempted to flee but was apprehended. Officers discovered a Glock 9mm handgun and ammunition in his vehicle. With prior felony convictions including possession of controlled dangerous substances and resisting an officer, Etienne was aware that he was barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
A federal grand jury indicted him in March 2024 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty on September 6, 2024, admitting to knowingly possessing the firearm and ammunition despite being prohibited.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Casey N. Richmond.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to curb violent crime and enhance neighborhood safety. PSN emphasizes collaboration between U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal, state, local, tribal law enforcement along with community partners to devise effective strategies against violent crime.
