Louisiana Felon Faces Up to 15 Years and a Fine After Pleading Guilty in Connection with Firing a Gun at a Vehicle During Drive-By Shooting
New Orleans, Louisiana – A Louisiana felon has pleaded guilty in connection with firing a gun at a vehicle during a drive-by shooting and is now facing up to 15 years in prison and a fine.
On May 16, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 11, Melvin Walker, age 34, a resident of Marrero, Louisiana, pled guilty to a one-count indictment, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
Walker faces a potential penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment cost of $100.
According to court records, Walker was arrested by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after he discharged a nine-millimeter pistol at the occupant(s) of a white SUV during a drive-by shooting. The occupant(s) of the white SUV fired a .223 caliber firearm at Walker as he stood outside his residence prior to Walker discharging the firearm. During a search of Walker’s home, a nine-millimeter magazine loaded with nine-millimeter caliber ammo was discovered. Walker is a convicted felon who is not permitted to carry a firearm or ammunition.
Walker will be sentenced on August 15, 2023, by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey.
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.
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives looked into the case. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit is prosecuting the case.