Alexandria man sentenced to over 4 years in federal prison after concealing machinegun on 10-year-old child (DOJ)

ALEXANDRIA - On August 21, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards Jr. sentenced Sheldon Doral Franklin, 33, of Alexandria, to over four years in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after his April 17, 2026, guilty plea to Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

"This defendant recklessly used a 10-year-old child to hide a fully automatic weapon and then ran from law enforcement to escape the consequences," said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. "Machinegun conversion devices are extremely dangerous, and our Office will continue to hold accountable those who endanger children, community members, and police officers by illegally possessing these dangerous weapons."

According to court documents, the investigation began on March 23, 2024, when a Pineville Police Department (PPD) officer monitoring a license plate reader alert system received an alert for a stolen maroon Nissan Sentra reported out of Opelousas. The officer quickly located the Sentra traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 167. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle continued driving until the police siren was activated. Additional officers arrived and ordered Franklin, the driver and a convicted felon, out of the car. Franklin initially refused commands to keep his hands in view but eventually complied and was handcuffed. When questioned, Franklin identified the passenger as his 10-year-old child. Franklin then claimed he was unaware the vehicle had been stolen, stating it had been loaned to him by his girlfriend. When officers informed Franklin that they needed to search his child, he refused to give permission. The child also refused commands and kept a bag of chips pressed against his leg. As an officer attempted to move the child's arms, he felt what appeared to be a handgun concealed between the chip bag and the child's leg. Franklin then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement. Officers recovered the weapon, a loaded Glock Model 23, .40-caliber pistol equipped with a Machine Gun Conversion Device (MCD), also known as a switch, making the firearm fully automatic.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and PPD investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 1:25-cr-00235-01.

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