Rodell Patterson, a 51-year-old resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has pled guilty to operating a firearms business without a license, as announced by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF New York Field Division.
Patterson admitted to illegally mailing eight packages, containing a total of 10 firearms, from Baton Rouge to New York’s Capital Region in 2021 and 2022. Notably, two of these firearms were later recovered in June 2022 in the apartment of a man on parole in Troy, New York. He acknowledged his awareness of the unlawful nature of these transactions and admitted to detailed discussions with the recipient regarding the types of firearms and payment involved.
Patterson is now facing a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a possible 3-year term of supervised release. The sentencing will be determined by a judge based on the specific statutes violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other relevant factors.
Additionally, Patterson is charged in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana with possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. While this charge is currently an accusation, with Patterson presumed innocent until proven guilty, a conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the ATF’s Albany Field Office, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana and ATF’s Baton Rouge Field Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner.
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