A Thibodaux man has entered a guilty plea to multiple federal offenses, including aggravated identity theft and providing false statements to a firearms dealer and a federal agency. Brett Gabriel, 31, faced the consequences of his actions on Wednesday, in a U.S. District Court.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Gabriel misused stolen identity information to unlawfully acquire an Angstadt Arms UDP-9 firearm, and to secure paycheck protection program loan funds fraudulently, an initiative set up by the federal government to aid businesses during trying times. Judge Jane Triche Milazzo presided over Gabriel's plea, setting the stage for his sentencing, which is slated for June 18.
Upon conviction, Gabriel faces a potential maximum sentence of a decade behind bars and/or a fine that could reach $250,000, with up to three years of supervised release for the firearm-related offense. The crime also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The false statement charges carry similar weight, each with a five-year maximum prison term and/or fines up to $250,000, and the same period of supervised release alongside the special assessment fee. Moreover, the aggravated identity theft count necessitates a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term handed down.
The diligence of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Secret Service, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office was commended by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II, from the Financial Crimes Unit, will oversee the prosecution of this case. In his commendation, Simpson argued that these partnerships were key in bringing Gabriel to justice.
This case is a part of the national Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which is the federal government's leading program in the combat against violent crime and gun violence. "This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone," as described on the U.S. Attorney’s website.
