Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS MAN SENTENCED TO 57 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON
January 30, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAMES GODWIN, age 33, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced by U. S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to fifty-seven (57) months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U. S Attorney Jim Letten.
In addition, Judge Fallon imposed three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment. During the three year term, the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of confinement should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
According to court documents, Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with members of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, were conducting routine investigation on local pawn shops. During the course of the investigation they learned that on February 24, 2006, GODWIN pawned a Winchester Model 12 shotgun at a local pawn shop in order to get money to purchase “crack cocaine.” As part of their investigation, law enforcement conducted a criminal background check of GODWIN and learned that GODWIN was convicted on December 16, 1996 in Jefferson Parish of Attempted Armed Robbery and Armed Robbery. Based on this conviction, GODWIN was prohibited by Federal Law from possessing a firearm.
After sentencing, GODWIN was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service to begin his term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the officers of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juan M. Masini.
