Louisiana Felon Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Firearms Laws, Faces 10 Years in Prison and $250k Fine

New Orleans, Louisiana – On January 6, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Michael Crawford, age 27, from New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on January 4, 2023, to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

Crawford exchanged gunfire at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Louisa Street and sustained gunshot wounds, according to court filings. Crawford was found with a firearm moments later by law enforcement. Crawford was prohibited from possessing firearms after being convicted of Tramadol Possession in 2019.

Crawford faces a maximum term of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 after pleading guilty. In addition, the defendant faces up to three years of supervised release and an obligatory $100.00 special assessment charge. The Honorable Sarah S. Vance scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2023.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve together to minimize violent crime and gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy to strengthen PSN on May 26, 2021, based on the following core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Evans commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department for their work in investigating this case. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Carboni.