Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Brett Gabriel, a 31-year-old resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, providing a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm, and providing a false statement to a federal agency. The plea was made before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo on March 26, 2025. Gabriel's sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2025.
According to the court documents, Gabriel utilized stolen identity information to purchase an Angstadt Arms UDP-9 firearm and to fraudulently obtain paycheck protection program loan proceeds, which are overseen by the federal government.
The maximum penalty for the firearms-related offense includes up to ten years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, followed by a supervised release period of up to three years, along with a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. The offenses involving false statements carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. Additionally, the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years imprisonment, which will be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Secret Service, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II, from the Financial Crimes Unit, is leading the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates law enforcement efforts with communities to reduce violent crime and gun-related violence. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to enhance PSN, focusing on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention through community-based organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and evaluating results.
