NEW ORLEANS – A LaPlace man was sentenced in federal court Thursday to 50 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s Office.

Lionel Lathers, 36, was also placed on three years supervised release, which will follow his prison term. Lathers would face additional prison time if he is found in violation of the suspended release, said U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.

According to court documents, Lathers pleaded guilty to the charges in Fallon’s court on Dec. 16, 2009. At that time, he admitted to possessing a 12-gauge sawed off shotgun when he was approached by Kenner Police Officers in the 2700 block of Acron Street.

As the officer approached, Lathers attempted to flee and dropped the shotgun. The defendant was arrested after a short chase.

According to the release, Lathers further admitted that he is prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a 1993 felony conviction for attempted first-degree murder in Jefferson Parish.

Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Kenner Police Department contributed to the investigation.