Stephone Bridges Indicted for Felon Firearm Possession

New Orleans man Step hone Bridges, 32, is staring down a federal prison sentence after a grand jury indicted him on November 19, 2021, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The one-count indictment alleges Bridges possessed a Glock semi-automatic pistol on or about August 15, 2021—a loaded weapon in the hands of someone legally barred from owning one.

If convicted, Bridges faces up to ten (10) years in federal prison, followed by as many as three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. The charges come amid a broader federal crackdown on illegal gun possession in high-crime areas.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, who announced the indictment, emphasized that while the charges are serious, the justice system demands proof. “The indictment is merely a charge,” Evans stated, “and the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The case was investigated by a joint task force including the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Their collaboration underscores the city’s escalating effort to target repeat and armed offenders.

This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a data-driven strategy aimed at dismantling violent crime networks. PSN combines federal muscle with local intelligence, focusing enforcement on the most dangerous offenders while supporting reentry and prevention programs.

Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne is leading the prosecution. As the case moves forward, federal authorities are sending a clear message: felons caught with firearms will face maximum penalties under the full weight of federal law.