A Slidell man has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for possessing a machine gun, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Cuong Quoc Tran, 39, received his sentence from United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe on September 11, 2025. In addition to prison time, Tran was ordered to serve one year of supervised release, pay a $10,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
Court documents state that the Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark intercepted a fishing vessel called the “Lucky Jean” on January 5, 2022. The vessel was located about four nautical miles from Southwest Pass within the jurisdiction of the Eastern District of Louisiana. During a safety search by Coast Guard personnel, several rifles capable of fully automatic fire were found on board.
Tran, who was captain of the vessel, admitted during an interview with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that he possessed seven weapons found on the boat and had converted them into fully automatic firearms—machine guns under federal law. The ATF tested these weapons and confirmed they were fully automatic.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson acknowledged the work done by both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr., from the General Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that coordinates efforts between law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The Department’s violent crime reduction strategy for PSN includes fostering trust within communities, supporting organizations that help prevent violence before it occurs, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes through results. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
