Federal Bureau of Investigation - New Orleans Field Division

BOYCE, LOUISIANA CHIEF OF POLICE INDICTED ON FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGES
Found in Possession of Unregistered Machine Gun, Sawed Off Shotgun and Short Barreled Rifle

Shreveport, Louisiana . . . The Chief of Police of Boyce, Louisiana was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession illegal firearms, United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced today. CLAUDE WILLIAMS , 50, is charged with being in possession of an unregistered machine gun, a sawed off shotgun, and a short barreled rifle, all of which were discovered during a search of WILLIAMS’ residence and motor vehicle on September 5, 2007.

WILLIAMS was also charged by a state grand jury with Malfeasance in Office and Malfeasance in Office by Tampering. The state charges are being pursued by Rapides Parish District Attorney James C. “Jam” Downs.

WILLIAMS surrendered to authorities earlier today on both federal and state warrants and had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

The federal indictment includes three counts of possession of unregistered firearms. It is illegal under federal law to possess certain types of firearms, including machine guns, sawed off shotguns, and short barreled rifles, if those firearms are not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a central registry of firearms maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

If convicted on the federal charges, WILLIAMS faces a maximum penalty on each count of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Sentencing in federal court is determined by the discretion of federal judges and the governing statute. Parole has been abolished in the federal system.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence under the law, and the government has the burden of proving every element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The federal and state charges arise out of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Metro Narcotics Unit. The federal indictment is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Cowles. The state indictment is being prosecuted by Assistant Rapides Parish District Attorney Loren Lampert.

United States Attorney Donald W. Washington Western District of Louisiana
United States Courthouse • 300 Fannin Street, Suite 3201 • Shreveport, Louisiana 71101-3068 • (318) 676-3600 United States Courthouse • 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 2200 • Lafayette, Louisiana 70501-7206 • (337) 262-6618
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2007		Contact: Donald W. Washington (337-262-6618) William J. Flanagan (318-676-3600)
BOYCE, LOUISIANA CHIEF OF POLICE INDICTED ON FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGES Found in Possession of Unregistered Machine Gun, Sawed Off Shotgun and Short Barreled Rifle Shreveport, Louisiana . . . The Chief of Police of Boyce, Louisiana was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession illegal firearms, United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced today. CLAUDE WILLIAMS , 50, is charged with being in possession of an unregistered machine gun, a sawed off shotgun, and a short barreled rifle, all of which were discovered during a search of WILLIAMS’ residence and motor vehicle on September 5, 2007. WILLIAMS was also charged by a state grand jury with Malfeasance in Office and Malfeasance in Office by Tampering. The state charges are being pursued by Rapides Parish District Attorney James C. “Jam” Downs. WILLIAMS surrendered to authorities earlier today on both federal and state warrants and had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. The federal indictment includes three counts of possession of unregistered firearms. It is illegal under federal law to possess certain types of firearms, including machine guns, sawed off shotguns, and short barreled rifles, if those firearms are not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a central registry of firearms maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. If convicted on the federal charges, WILLIAMS faces a maximum penalty on each count of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Sentencing in federal court is determined by the discretion of federal judges and the governing statute. Parole has been abolished in the federal system. An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence under the law, and the government has the burden of proving every element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The federal and state charges arise out of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Metro Narcotics Unit. The federal indictment is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Cowles. The state indictment is being prosecuted by Assistant Rapides Parish District Attorney Loren Lampert.