U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
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.
According to court records, on October 1, 2023, New Orleans police officers identified Blue as a suspect in a downtown New Orleans shooting incident. Subsequently, an arrest warrant for Blue and a search warrant for his residence were obtained. During the search, officers seized a Smith & Wesson Model SW40VE .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol along with .40 and .45 caliber ammunition.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that collaborates with various levels of law enforcement and community members to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which focuses on fostering trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the New Orleans Police Department for their efforts in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy L. Bell from the Violent Crimes Unit led the prosecution.
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