Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson has announced the sentencing of Joe Lynn Beattie, a 53-year-old resident of Covington, Louisiana. On April 29, 2025, United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced Beattie to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and imposed a $300 mandatory special assessment fee.
Beattie had previously pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025, to a three-count indictment. The charges included being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of unregistered silencers, and possession of machineguns. These violations are outlined under Title 18 and Title 26 of the United States Code.
Court records indicate that federal agents received information about unlawfully imported firearm parts from China linked to Beattie. A subsequent search warrant executed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies at Beattie's residence resulted in the discovery of five firearms, ammunition, sixteen silencers, and five machinegun conversion devices.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched a strengthened violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Evans commended the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for their roles in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri from the General Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.
