New Orleans, Louisiana — A New Orleans resident, Shane Bolden, 36, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison following his guilty plea to charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and being a felon in possession of firearms. The sentencing took place on April 30, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk. Upon release, Bolden will serve three years of supervised release and pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court records, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), executing a search warrant on April 8, 2024, discovered over a pound of marijuana and eight firearms at Bolden’s residence. Authorities reported that Bolden intended to distribute the marijuana, a violation of federal drug laws under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D).
The recovered firearms included a range of semi-automatic pistols and rifles, such as a Glock Model 33 loaded with armor-piercing rounds, a Glock Model 23 loaded with hollow point rounds, and a stolen Glock Model 22. Other weapons seized were a Zastava Arms Model PAP M85 NP, a Stag Arms Model Stag-15, a Romarm/Cugir Model Mini Draco loaded with 30 rounds, a Glock Model 19x loaded with red-tip hollow point rounds, and a Diamondback Arms Model DB380. Firearms loaded with specialty ammunition, such as armor-piercing or hollow point rounds, are of particular concern to law enforcement due to their enhanced lethality.
Bolden was already prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions, including a previous conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In addition to the drugs and weapons, officers found over $108,000 in cash, which Bolden admitted belonged to him.
As part of a plea agreement, Bolden agreed to forfeit all firearms and cash to the United States government. This forfeiture is a common legal process in which property connected to criminal activity is surrendered to authorities.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the NOPD. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit prosecuted the case.
The prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative that aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and community organizations.