Nola Reporter

Jarren Lee, a 36-year-old resident of New Orleans, has been sentenced for violating the Federal Gun Control Act. The sentence was handed down on November 12, 2024, by United States District Judge Darrel J. Papillion, as announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Court records indicate that Lee was apprehended by the New Orleans Police Department after being seen driving a stolen vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered two firearms: a Century Arms Inc. Model TP9 nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun and a Taurus Model Millennium G2 nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun. Both firearms were equipped with high-capacity magazines, and one was reported stolen. Lee's criminal history includes several felony convictions for drug possession.

Judge Papillion sentenced Lee to 57 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and imposed a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

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. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to strengthen PSN by focusing on fostering trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller is prosecuting the case as Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.