U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans
Recent News About U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans
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Michigan woman sentenced for conspiracy in sex trafficking case involving a minor
A Michigan woman was sentenced today to five years in prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor.
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Harvey man pleads guilty to firearm possession charge
Miguel Keelen, age 35, of Harvey, Louisiana, pled guilty on August 29, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to being a felon in possession of a firearm. This violation falls under Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), as announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
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Bogalusa man sentenced for illegal firearm possession related to drug trafficking
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Mark Amos, age 26, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was sentenced today to serve 60 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Amos previously pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).
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St. Tammany Parish man indicted for wire fraud conspiracy
On August 9, 2024, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the indictment of Joseph Harold West, Jr., a resident of St. Tammany Parish, and Chase Duncan Campbell, a resident of Cobb County, Georgia. The two men face charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343. Additionally, West has been charged with three counts of wire fraud under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.
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New Orleans man pleads guilty to federal gun control and drug charges
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Travis Jackson, age 34, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 6, 2024, before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
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New Orleans man pleads guilty to making false statements to Small Business Administration
NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Renic Palmer, Jr. ("Palmer"), age 24, of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 1, 2024, before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to making or using false writings or documents to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(3).
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New Orleans man pleads guilty to federal firearms charge
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Irvin J. Lefere, Jr., age 38, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance on July 31, 2024, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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New Orleans man sentenced to over eight years for carjacking and gun offenses
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Devon Frith, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk after previously pleading guilty to carjacking and gun offenses. Specifically, Judge Africk sentenced Frith to 41 months imprisonment for carjacking, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119, as well as a consecutive term of 60 months imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), for a...
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New Orleans man sentenced for carjacking and federal firearms offenses
Shampain Poole, 23, of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey on July 15, 2024, to 147 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a mandatory $300 special assessment fee. This sentencing follows his conviction by a jury for carjacking, brandishing a weapon during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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New Orleans man pleads guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material
A New Orleans man, Joy Joseph Banerjee, aged 57, pled guilty on July 18, 2024, to possession of prepubescent child pornography. The charge is a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(b). Banerjee faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571. Additionally, he faces supervised release for no less than five years and up to life following his prison term and must pay...
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California man pleads guilty to CARES Act fraud involving PPP loan
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Nipun Desai, formerly of Hammond, Louisiana, but now a California resident, age 55, pleaded guilty on July 10, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
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Franklinton mail contractor indicted for check forgery and mail theft
On July 11, 2024, Rachel Watts Sanders, age 39, of Loranger, Louisiana, was indicted for bank fraud and mail theft. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
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Postal employee indicted for destruction of mail
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Jorry Harrison, age 36, of Houma, Louisiana, was indicted on July 11, 2024, for destruction of mail in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1703.
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Honduran national sentenced for possessing firearms as an illegal alien
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Junior Alexander Moncada-Vargas, age 35, of Honduras, was sentenced on July 10, 2024, to thirty months in prison by U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long after previously pleading guilty to possession and transfer of a machinegun, as well as three counts of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Judge Long also sentenced Moncada-Vargas to three years of supervised release, payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, and deportation proceedings after serving his prison sentence.
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New Orleans man sentenced for firearm possession as convicted felon
On July 10, 2024, Darron Blue, a 27-year-old resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to fifty-seven months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk. The sentencing follows Blue's guilty plea to charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the prison term, Blue will undergo three years of supervised release and must pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
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Honduran national pleads guilty to illegal reentry in New Orleans
A Honduran national has pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal reentry of a deported alien, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on July 10, 2024. Marlon Efrain Chavez Aguirre, age 50, admitted to reentering the United States illegally after being previously deported on September 24, 2012.
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New Orleans man pleads guilty to federal drug charges
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Jason Lonie, age 47, pled guilty on July 2, 2024, before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
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South Carolina man sentenced to 15 years for carjacking
On June 28, 2024, Onis Washington, a 25-year-old resident of South Carolina, was sentenced to 180 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey for carjacking. The sentence also includes three years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
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New York man pleads guilty to traveling for illicit conduct with minor
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Peter Nealon, age 66, from Schenectady, New York, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b).
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Jefferson Parish man sentenced for false statement to U.S. Coast Guard
A Jefferson Parish resident has been sentenced for making a false statement to the United States Coast Guard. Derrick Fremen, aged 51, received a sentence of thirty-six months probation and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. This follows his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk on June 26, 2024.