A jury in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, found Jarrel Smith guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after deliberating for just four minutes and 44 seconds. The 33-year-old was sentenced this week to 20 years in state prison. The swift verdict has drawn attention amid efforts to curb gun possession by felons.
Jarrel Smith, 33, was arrested on September 8, 2024, outside an apartment complex in Iberville Parish. Deputies detected a strong smell of marijuana smoke from him and later found a gun in his possession. Smith had a prior conviction for simple burglary in 2019, making his possession of the firearm illegal under state law as a felon. He was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nedi Morgan in the 18th Judicial District Court in New Roads, Louisiana. On April 8, 2026, the jury returned its guilty verdict after four minutes and 44 seconds of deliberation, according to a courtroom report by the Plaquemine Post South. This week, Judge Elizabeth Engolio sentenced Smith to 20 years in state prison. Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton described the verdict as one of the swiftest in memory. “I have repeatedly said we will prosecute violent offenders,” Clayton said. “In this case, a convicted felon had a firearm in his possession and had a known criminal history. Getting a verdict in less than five minutes should send a message — we are working to get the guns off the streets, and we will take these cases to trial, if necessary.” Morgan added, “The jury got it and got it right. There was no question with the evidence in this case that Jarrel Smith was guilty as charged.” Clayton thanked the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office, St Gabriel Police Department, and Louisiana Probation and Parole for their work on the case.