Jeanerette man sentenced to 60 years for 2020 drive-by shooting
NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- A Jeanerette man has been sentenced in a shooting that occurred in 2020 after pleading guilty to the charges.
Jonas Hawk, 31, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm today from a drive-by shooting in February of 2020.
According to authorities, Hawk opened fire on a family gathering in Jeanerette. Officials said one of Hawk’s shots struck the victim in the chest and the victim died as a result of their wounds.
Officials said Hawk was prohibited from possessing a firearm, as he had a prior
conviction for aggravated flight from an officer and was on probation for attempted possession
of a firearm by a convicted felon at the time of the offense.
A jury trial was scheduled for April 28. However, Hawk pleaded guilty, and was sentenced
to 60 years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
Hawk was sentenced to the maximum on both charges: 40 years at hard labor for
his manslaughter conviction and 20 years for his possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
conviction. The sentences are to run consecutively.