Three Defendants with Felony Convictions Sentenced to a Total of 22+ Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms

MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of three separate illegal firearms cases in the Western District of Louisiana today. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the following three defendants:

Mark Abercrombie, 45, of Monroe, was sentenced to 132 months (11 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On October 22, 2022, Abercrombie was the driver and sole occupant involved in a one-vehicle crash in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. He fled the scene prior to the arrival of Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office deputies. Inside Abercrombie's vehicle, deputies found a Ruger Model LC9 9x19 pistol and ammunition and .22 caliber ammunition. Abercrombie was a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, including nine felony convictions, and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was subsequently arrested and charged with illegally possessing the firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge on April 19, 2024.

Kerry D. Gayfield, 40, of Oak Grove, was sentenced to 78 months (6 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gayfield went into a pawn shop in West Monroe on October 4, 2023, with a New England Firearms Pardner SB1 .20 gauge shotgun. In the pawn shop, Gayfield provided his identification and signed documents to pawn the firearm. As a convicted felon, Gayfield knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition but did so anyway. He was previously convicted on September 3, 2014, in the Western District of Louisiana of felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was sentenced at that time to 90 months in prison and had been released from prison at the time of this offense. Gayfield pleaded guilty on April 19, 2024. The 78-month sentence handed down today includes an 18-month sentence for Gayfield's violation of the terms of his supervised release.

Freddie L. Nash, 52, of Monroe, was sentenced to 64 months (5 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On August 22, 2023, Monroe Police Department officers responded to a domestic complaint at a residence in Monroe. Upon arrival at the residence, officers were made aware that Nash was in a vehicle passing by the residence. Officers stopped the vehicle, made contact with Nash, and found an RG Model 26 .25 caliber pistol located between the passenger door and seat where Nash had been sitting. Nash knew that as a person having prior felony convictions, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was arrested and charged with illegally possessing the firearm. Nash pleaded guilty to the charge on May 6, 2024.

"Keeping firearms out of the wrong hands is a priority of the United States Department of Justice," said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. "These investigations are in line with our commitment of partnering with our local district attorneys and law enforcement agencies to curb gun violence in Ouachita Parish and all of northeast Louisiana. These defendants have no regard for the law and given their conduct and criminal histories, these sentences are fair. Justice has been served."

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Monroe Police Department, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg and Special Assistant United States Attorney Catherine L. Semmes.

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