LAFAYETTE, LA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an Abbeville man pleaded guilty Monday to illegally possessing a pistol.
Carlin Jerrid Montgomery, 38, of Abbeville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Montgomery’s home on April 28, 2017 and found a .45-caliber pistol and ammunition. The handgun was concealed in the exterior shell of a black metal stereo tuner lying on the floor under Montgomery’s bedroom window. The defendant was convicted on June 11, 2002 for possession of crack cocaine and is not allowed to possess a firearm.
Montgomery faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of September 28, 2018.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.
