CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Beaumont man convicted of stealing firearms during Gustav evacuation
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BEAUMONT (KYTX) - A 36-year-old Port Arthur, Texas man has been found guilty by a jury of federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Chad Allen Piazza was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm following a three-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.
According to information presented in court, Piazza sold a stolen rifle and shotgun to a Port Neches resident on Sept. 2, 2008. After a newspaper report describing the burglary, which occurred during the evacuation for Hurricane Gustav, the purchaser became suspicious that the guns were actually stolen and contacted police.
Further investigation revealed that Piazza was a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition because Piazza was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2001 in Jefferson County.
Piazza faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.
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