Shreveport Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Gun Charges

A Shreveport man pleaded guilty to felony gun charges Monday, July 24, 2023 in Caddo District Court.

Jamario James, 41, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon before Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett, just before his trial was to have begun. He was sentenced to ten years at hard labor, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. He also was ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000. The court ordered James to serve 300 days in lieu of the fine, concurrent with the hard labor sentence.

James admitted that on September 21, 2021, he drove repeatedly around and on the property of the Royal Inn at 1906 North Market St., despite being told four times that he was not allowed on the property. Inn employees told the responding Shreveport police officer who responded that James had flashed a gun several times, and threatened passersby.

As the officer spoke with an employee, James drove by again, and shortly after the officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. James consented to a vehicle search, and the officer recovered approximately 1.7 ounces of methamphetamine and a Smith & Wesson handgun from the back seat.

James was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ross Owen. He was defended by John Evans.

The case was docket No. 385287.