New Orleans Man Jailed for Gun Crime After AR-15 Bust

A New Orleans man has been sentenced to five years behind bars for violating the federal gun control act after a dramatic arrest on Erato Street.

Ivan Ballard, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier on April 25, 2024, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

The incident occurred when New Orleans Police Department officers responded to a call in the 4700 block of Erato Street. Upon arrival, they spotted Ballard ducking by a car to conceal something beneath the vehicle. An officer looked underneath and discovered a rifle, prompting Ballard to flee.

Upon his detention, Ballard’s brother attempted to interfere by taking the rifle and throwing it over a nearby fence. The officers eventually recovered the AR-15 style rifle, which was later confirmed to be the weapon in question. A background check revealed that Ballard had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a firearm only weeks prior.

The United States later adopted these state charges for federal prosecution and charged Ballard with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in local communities.

As a result of the sentencing, Ballard will serve 60 months in the Bureau of Prisons, followed by three years of supervised release. He has also been ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans highlighted the importance of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program in addressing violent crime and gun violence in local communities. The strategy focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring results.