⏱ 3 min read
Leshawn Parker, a notorious member of the Seventh Ward Soldiers, a violent street gang in New Orleans, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. On May 13, 2026, United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance handed down the sentence, which will be served consecutive to a 37-month sentence Parker received earlier this year for violating his supervised release. Parker’s latest brush with the law came on January 10, 2023, when he was arrested by New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officers who caught him with a firearm.
Parker’s history with the law dates back to 1999, when he was convicted by a jury for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. At the time, evidence revealed that the Seventh Ward Soldiers were responsible for several drug-related murders and shootings in New Orleans. Parker was initially sentenced to life in prison, but his sentence was reduced to 220 months in 2021 under the First Step Act.
Parker’s latest arrest was the result of a foot chase with NOPD officers, during which he discarded his firearm over a fence onto the practice field of St. Augustine High School. The incident was captured on the officer’s body camera, providing damning evidence against Parker. His guilty plea and subsequent sentencing are a testament to the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to crack down on organized crime in New Orleans.
The Seventh Ward Soldiers have been a thorn in the side of New Orleans law enforcement for years, and Parker’s sentencing is a significant blow to the gang’s operations. As the city continues to grapple with the consequences of organized crime, the sentencing of high-profile figures like Parker serves as a reminder of the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Organized Crime
- Defendant: Gun Possession
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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