A federal judge has convicted a Boulder resident, Paul Anthony LaFournaise, of illegally possessing a firearm. The verdict was delivered by Chief U.S. Judge Brian M. Morris on December 4, following a one-day bench trial held on November 25. LaFournaise, aged 59, was found guilty of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced the conviction and stated that LaFournaise could face up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for April 16, 2025, and LaFournaise remains detained pending further proceedings.
The case stems from an incident on May 11 when deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports that LaFournaise was threatening his sister at their family home over a "black bag" he believed she had taken. During the altercation, LaFournaise also called 911 claiming his brother had punched him after he allegedly threatened their mother and sister.
Deputies identified LaFournaise as the primary aggressor and arrested him for partner/family member assault. An investigation revealed that the sister had discovered items belonging to LaFournaise inside the black bag hidden in a shed. These included a 9mm pistol, ammunition, drugs, and drug paraphernalia. Concerned due to his status as a felon under state supervision and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, she hid the bag's contents from him.
LaFournaise admitted to handling the gun and purchasing the drugs found in the bag before May 11. He also confessed to hiding it earlier that day.
The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigations conducted by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Montana Probation and Parole; and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. For more information about PSN's initiatives visit Justice.gov/PSN.