Evergreen Reporter

U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Byron Louder, a 35-year-old resident of Orlando, to 40 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Louder pleaded guilty on August 15, 2024.

Court records indicate that on December 25, 2022, law enforcement officers observed Louder standing in the parking lot of a closed business wearing a ski mask and drinking liquor. He was seen conducting several quick hand-to-hand transactions and had a firearm visible in his waistband. Upon detaining him, officers recovered a Sig Sauer pistol from his possession. Louder has been previously convicted of at least three felonies and is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Orlando Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie A. McNeff prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to combat violent crime and gun violence, aiming to enhance neighborhood safety. The Department launched a strengthened violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, emphasizing trust-building within communities, supporting community organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.