Joe Lynn Beattie, 52, from Covington, pleaded guilty on Monday, to illegal possession of firearms, silencers, and machineguns. He faces charges under federal law, specifically Title 18 and Title 26 of the United States Code, for being a felon in possession of firearms, possessing unregistered silencers, and possessing machineguns, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Federal agents, acting on intelligence about Beattie receiving illegal firearm parts from China, executed a search warrant at his residence, uncovering five firearms, ammunition, sixteen silencers, and five machinegun conversion devices. The operation, led by Homeland Security Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and local law enforcement from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, led to charges against Beattie. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison—15 years for Count One and up to 10 years each for Counts Two and Three, along with potential fines up to $250,000, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
This case, part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, involves cooperation between Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri are overseeing the prosecution. Joe Lynn Beattie was convicted for illegal firearm possession and is awaiting sentencing, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
