Four Eunice residents with criminal records have been charged with fraudulent firearm and ammunition purchases, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz in a news release.
Guidroz stated that over the last eight months local businesses have contacted the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office in reference to firearm application denials.
The local businesses provided a Firearms Transaction Records showing John Dale Pastorick, April Selena Thibodeaux, Megan Jaynee Lee, and Joseph Harold Fontenot attempted to purchase firearms.
The news release continued:
Upon further investigation of John Pastorick’s past criminal history, it was determined that he was charged with attempted second degree murder in May, 2017, and that case is scheduled to go to trial in July.
John Pastorick provided false information on a question on the Firearms Transactions Record, which states “Are you under indictment or information in any court for a felony or any other crime for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year?” John Pastorick indicated “No” as his answer.
Upon investigation of April Thibodeaux’s past criminal history, it was determined that she was charged with Simple Battery, Disturbing the Peace, Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance in February 2009. On July 6, 2010, April Thibodeaux pled guilty to those charges and was sentenced two years supervised probation, with conditions of not owning or possessing a firearm. She completed her sentence on July 6, 2012.
Upon investigation of Megan Lee’s past criminal history, it was determined that she was arrested in Acadia Parish and on Feb. 5, 2018, pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense. She was placed on 24 months of supervised probation, with conditions of not owning or possessing a firearm. She received an early termination of probation on Dec. 2, 2019.
Joseph Harold Fontenot’s past criminal history indicates that he was arrested in June 2020 for Domestic Abuse Battery. A protective order was issued against him and set to expire in June. On Jan. 12, Joseph Fontenot pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Battery and was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation and has not completed the terms of his sentence as of this date.
Joseph Fontenot is prohibited from possessing a firearm while the protective order is active and, has thus violated the terms of the protection order.
According to state law, if a person convicted of a felony or domestic abuse, the person is ineligible to purchase a firearm until 10 years has passed after completion of the “sentence, probation, etc”. April Thibodeaux would not be eligible to purchase a firearm until July 6, 2022. Megan Lee would not be eligible until Dec. 2, 2029. Joseph Fontenot would not be eligible until July 12, 2031.
“Federal firearm dealers and private sellers have a mandatory obligation by law to report denials to the sheriff of the parish. This law was created to prevent a person from illegally obtaining a firearm when they are not allowed to acquire one,” advised Sheriff Guidroz.
Charged were:
John Dale Pastorick, 71, of the 1500 block of West Peach Avenue, Eunice; fraudulent firearm and ammunition purchase. Bail set at $5,000.
April Selena Thibodeaux, 52, of the 5500 block of U.S. 190, Eunice; fraudulent firearm and ammunition purchase. Bail set at $5,000.
Megan Jaynee Lee, 34, of the 100 block of La. 367, Eunice; fraudulent firearm and ammunition purchase. Bail set at $3,500.
Joseph Harold Fontenot, 44, of the 100 block of Mamie Street, Eunice; firearm and ammunition purchase and violation of a protective order. Bail set at $4,000.
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