Darran Boykins, Ammunition Possession, Louisiana 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Darran Boykins, a New Orleans resident with a lengthy rap sheet, is headed to federal prison after receiving a 57-month sentence for illegally possessing ammunition. U.S. Chief District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown handed down the sentence on May 2, 2024, following Boykins’ guilty plea. He’ll also face three years of supervised release after serving his time, and a $100 assessment fee.

The case stems from a March 20, 2021 incident in the Seventh Ward, where New Orleans Police Department officers responded to reports of an aggravated assault with a firearm. While investigating the shooting, officers discovered ammunition tucked away in a dresser within the residence. Crucially, the ammunition was found alongside Boykins’ Louisiana identification card, linking him directly to the illegal possession.

Boykins wasn’t just holding onto any ammo; he was a convicted felon, making even a single bullet an illegal item. Court records show Boykins’ criminal history includes a January 23, 2019 conviction in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court – also for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This wasn’t his first brush with gun-related charges, and the latest conviction underscores a pattern of disregard for the law.

Federal prosecutors brought the charge under Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), which specifically prohibits convicted felons from possessing ammunition. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit spearheaded the prosecution, building a case based on the evidence collected at the scene and Boykins’ prior convictions.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) partnered with the New Orleans Police Department on the investigation, highlighting the collaborative effort to combat gun violence in the city. This case is being touted as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated law enforcement and community engagement.

While officials tout PSN’s principles of fostering trust and supporting community organizations, the reality on New Orleans streets remains grim. Boykins’ sentence sends a message, but whether it will deter others remains to be seen. The ongoing cycle of violence and recidivism continues to plague the city, demanding more than just arrests and convictions – it demands systemic change. Shane M. Jones, Public Information Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, confirmed the details of the sentencing.

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