Nola Reporter

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced that Brian Ward, a 30-year-old resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was entered on October 10, 2024, and sentencing is scheduled for January 2, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe.

Ward faces potential penalties including up to fifteen years in prison, a fine reaching $250,000, at least three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

Court documents reveal that Ward's arrest took place on January 7, 2024. The New Orleans Police Department detained him following an altercation with another man on Bourbon Street where Ward discharged a firearm. Law enforcement officials recovered the weapon—a Taurus Model PT140 G2 .40 caliber pistol—hidden near a van tire after the incident. A spent shell casing found at the scene matched the recovered gun. The altercation was captured by RealTime Crime Cameras.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on building trust within communities and supporting organizations that prevent violence while enforcing strategic priorities.

U.S. Attorney Evans commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the New Orleans Police Department for their work on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman from the General Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.