On March 27, 2025, Cuong Quoc Tran, a 39-year-old resident of Slidell, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson confirmed that Tran violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o). The sentencing has been scheduled for July 17, 2025.
Court records indicate that the incident took place on January 5, 2022. Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark stopped a fishing vessel, "Lucky Jean," approximately four nautical miles south of Southwest Pass in the Eastern District of Louisiana. During a safety search, the Coast Guard discovered several rifles capable of fully automatic fire on board. Tran, who was the captain of the vessel, admitted to agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that he had converted seven weapons into fully automatic machine guns. The ATF later tested the firearms and confirmed their capability for full automatic fire.
Tran could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release period of up to three years. Additionally, there is a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution of the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aiming to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The initiative seeks to create safer neighborhoods by uniting various levels of law enforcement and the community. The Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, to enhance PSN. The strategy emphasizes fostering community trust, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
