Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson has disclosed that Lucinto Fuentes, a 21-year-old Belizean national, now faces a federal indictment for illegal firearm possession as a felon. Fuentes, accused of holding a Taurus nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, could see up to 15 years behind bars if convicted of the crime.
Details from court documents released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office shows that Fuentes came under scrutiny on March 2, 2025. The indictment states that he "did knowingly possess a firearm, having previously been convicted of a felony," hence falling afoul of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).
It is essential to acknowledge that an indictment serves only as a formal charge. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson emphasized in a statement that "the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt," as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Fuentes' case also falls under the broader scope of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative designed to curtail violent crime and gun violence through cohesive community and law enforcement partnerships.
The collaborative effort to bring Fuentes to justice included Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell is spearheading the prosecution, aiming to affirm the federal stance against firearm offenses by felons. Penalties for a conviction extend beyond prison time; Fuentes also faces the possibility of a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Started in 2021, the PSN program seeks to bridge gaps between law enforcement and communities while supporting preventative measures against violence. With a commitment to these principles, cases such as that of Fuentes represent a tangible reflection of the department's ongoing strategy to measure its effectiveness in making neighborhoods safer.
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