A Slidell man has been sentenced to just over a year in federal prison for possessing a machine gun, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. On September 11, 2025, Cuong Quoc Tran, 39, received a sentence of 12 months and one day from United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe. In addition to the prison term, Tran was ordered to serve one year of supervised release and pay a $10,000 fine as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
Court documents state that on January 5, 2022, the Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark intercepted the fishing vessel “Lucky Jean” about four nautical miles from Southwest Pass within the Eastern District of Louisiana’s jurisdiction. During a safety search, Coast Guard personnel discovered multiple rifles capable of fully automatic fire onboard. Tran, who was captain of the vessel at the time, admitted during an interview with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents that he possessed seven weapons found on board and had converted them into fully automatic firearms—classified as machine guns under federal law. The ATF later tested these weapons and confirmed they were fully automatic.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson said: "I praise the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service." He added that Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice Jr., from the General Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates efforts among law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence across neighborhoods nationwide. The Department’s violent crime reduction strategy for PSN focuses on building trust in communities, supporting organizations aimed at preventing violence before it occurs, setting targeted enforcement priorities and measuring outcomes. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
