Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Narcotics Charges
NEW ORLEANS, LA – HERBERT JAMES, age 27, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on April 19, 2023 to a two-count indictment charging him with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, JAMES was arrested on April 22, 2022 during the course of a traffic stop, by the Louisiana State Police when, troopers found JAMES in possession of a fully loaded Sig Sauer, nine-millimeter handgun and a quantity of Ecstasy. Further investigation revealed that JAMES had been convicted in 2018 for aggravated flight from an officer, which prohibited his possession of a firearm.
The maximum penalties as to the weapon charge, are ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. As to the narcotics charge, JAMES faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three (3) years of supervised release. Additionally, JAMES will pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing is scheduled for August 9, 2023.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Louisiana State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Kennedy of the Violent Crime Unit.