NEW ORLEANS, LA – Brian Tardy, 31, of Orleans Parish, is headed to federal prison for nearly nine years after pleading guilty to a trifecta of serious federal charges. U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe sentenced Tardy to 106 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release and a $300 court assessment on June 22, 2023.
Tardy’s downfall began on July 8, 2021, when New Orleans Police Department officers conducting surveillance in New Orleans East spotted him exiting and re-entering a vehicle with an assault rifle brazenly in tow. A routine traffic stop – triggered by the vehicle being uninsured – quickly escalated when officers observed marijuana in plain view and detected a potent odor of the drug. The stop led to Tardy’s arrest and a subsequent search warrant for the vehicle.
That search yielded more than just weed. Alongside the assault rifle seen during surveillance, officers discovered additional marijuana and other controlled substances stashed within the vehicle. The evidence quickly painted a picture of a man engaged in more than just personal use. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (violating Title 21, U.S. Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and (b)(1)(D)), possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 924(c)(1)), and being a felon in possession of a firearm (Title 18, U.S. Code, Sections 922(g) and 924(a)(2)).
Federal prosecutors didn’t mince words. The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit, became a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans lauded the collaborative effort that brought Tardy to justice. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police all played crucial roles in the investigation and prosecution. The sentence sends a clear message: carrying illegal firearms while peddling drugs won’t be tolerated in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Tardy’s case is a stark reminder of the persistent challenges facing New Orleans, where illegal guns and drug trafficking continue to fuel violence. While the sentence offers a temporary reprieve for the community, the fight against crime remains a constant battle, requiring sustained cooperation between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve. The Grimy Times will continue to track and report on the outcomes of these cases as they move through the federal system.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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