A Thibodaux resident has entered a guilty plea in a New Orleans courtroom for charges that include aggravated identity theft and making false statements during a firearm acquisition and to a federal agency. Brett Gabriel, 31, admitted guilt before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo on March 26, 2025. The sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2025.
Court documents reveal Gabriel utilized stolen identity information to secure an Angstadt Arms UDP-9 firearm and to acquire fraudulently obtained paycheck protection program funds. These funds are part of a federal initiative.
The firearm-related charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000, in addition to up to three years of supervised release and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. Each false statement offense could result in up to five years of imprisonment or a fine of up to $250,000, also with potential supervised release and an assessment fee. The aggravated identity theft charge includes a mandatory two-year prison term to run consecutively to other sentences.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Secret Service, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office for their investigative efforts. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II from the Financial Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.
This legal proceeding falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that combines various law enforcement levels with community efforts to lower violent crime and gun violence. The Department debuted a reinforced strategy in 2021 focusing on community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and outcome measurement.