Shreveport Man Receives Lengthy Federal Prison Sentence for Illegally Possessing an AR-Style Pistol

SHREVEPORT, La. — U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Broxstonie Demichael Mitchell, 37, of Shreveport, has pleaded guilty to and was sentenced yesterday on a firearm charge. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Mitchell to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to evidence presented to the court, on the afternoon of May 5, 2021, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration were conducting surveillance and video recorded Mitchell carrying an AR-style pistol at a local Shreveport motel. Agents observed Mitchell get into the rear passenger seat of a vehicle parked nearby and leave with three other individuals. Soon after, Louisiana State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop and ordered all occupants from the vehicle. As Mitchell exited the backseat, a digital scale fell from his lap onto the pavement. Law enforcement placed Mitchell in custody and advised him of his Miranda rights. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and agents found a loaded AR-style pistol with a high-capacity magazine lying on the floorboard where Mitchell had been sitting. This pistol was determined to be stolen. Also on that floorboard was a single yellow pill, and between the driver’s seat and center console was a clear plastic baggie containing amounts of methamphetamine, crack cocaine and yellow pills.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined that the firearm was a functioning Anderson Arms model AM-15 pistol which had affected commerce. At the time of his arrest, Mitchell was on supervised probation for another felony offense and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. In 2010, Mitchell was previously convicted in federal court in the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.

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