Deputies with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office Working a Criminal Patrol Detail conducted a traffic stop on Highway 114, in the Hessmer area, that led to the arrest of Willis Gilcrest Johnson, 49, of Mansura, LA, for multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses on Saturday, June 7.
During the stop, deputies discovered that Johnson was in possession of an AR-style rifle illegally modified with an auto-sear, converting it into a fully automatic weapon. The firearm was not registered as required under federal law.
In addition to the illegal weapon, deputies also located suspected Xanax pills (Schedule IV) and determined that Johnson was unlawfully carrying the firearm while in possession of narcotics.
Johnson was arrested and booked on the following charges along with several traffic violations:
- Unlawful Handling of Machine Guns (Felony)
- Possession or Dealing in Unregistered Weapons (Felony)
- Possession of Schedule IV (Felony)
- Illegal Carrying of Weapons (Felony)
This arrest is a reminder of the dangers associated with illegally modified firearms and the continued efforts of law enforcement to keep the streets safe.
If anyone has any information related to illegal weapons or narcotics activity in the area, contact the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-253-4000.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.