Kidus Wodajo, Loaded Firearm Possession, LA 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Kidus Wodajo, 24, is headed to federal prison after admitting to illegally possessing a loaded firearm. The New Orleans man was sentenced today to 46 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced.

Wodajo’s crime isn’t a new one, but it’s a persistent problem plaguing the city. Court records reveal Wodajo, already a convicted felon in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, was found with a Taurus Millennium Pro .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol back in December 2013. The details of the initial stop haven’t been fully released, but the gun itself sealed his fate.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance handed down the sentence, a clear message that federal authorities are taking illegal gun possession seriously. While nearly a decade has passed since the offense, the feds moved forward with prosecution, demonstrating a commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable, even for older crimes.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, meticulously building a case against Wodajo. The ATF’s involvement underscores the agency’s focus on stemming the flow of illegal firearms and targeting individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Sources within the agency suggest this case was part of a larger effort to disrupt criminal activity in the New Orleans area.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih and Trial Attorney Joseph K. Wheatley, from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, were the driving forces behind the prosecution. Their work demonstrates the DOJ’s commitment to providing resources and expertise to local U.S. Attorney’s Offices dealing with complex firearm offenses.

Wodajo’s case serves as a grim reminder: a past felony conviction doesn’t simply disappear. It carries long-term consequences, especially when combined with the possession of a deadly weapon. He will now spend nearly four years paying for that mistake, and will remain under federal supervision long after his release. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and report on the ongoing fight against gun violence in New Orleans.