Franklin Man With Lengthy Criminal History Sentenced to Over Nine Years for Drug and Firearms Charges
LAFAYETTE, La. – Ezekiel Anderson, IV, 30, of Franklin, Louisiana, has been sentenced on firearms and drug charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Anderson was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 112 months (9 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Anderson pleaded guilty on April 27, 2022 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to evidence presented to the court, investigators with the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department encountered Anderson in the parking lot of the Cypress Bayou Casino on April 30, 2021. During their interaction with Anderson, investigators smelled the odor of marijuana coming from his vehicle and on his breath and person. A search warrant was obtained by law enforcement officers and a search of Anderson’s vehicle resulted in the discovery of a black bag on the front passenger seat containing a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a baggie containing suspected methamphetamine, along with other suspected narcotics and items used in the distribution of narcotics. The Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory analyzed the seized narcotics and determined that Anderson possessed approximately 8.4 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of marijuana, 47 Alprazolam tablets and 2 tablets containing methamphetamine.
The firearm and ammunition recovered were analyzed by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition, a review of Anderson’s criminal history revealed that he has numerous felony convictions, including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (2012); possession of cocaine (2015); attempted possession of firearm by a convicted felon (2017); simple escape (2017); simple kidnapping, simple burglary, and possession of methamphetamine (2018).
The case was investigated by the ATF, Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker.
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