Damion Smith, Illegal Machine Guns, Louisiana 2023

NEW ORLEANS, LA – A 22-year-old Metairie resident is facing serious federal charges after authorities discovered he was packing heat he wasn’t authorized to possess – and that heat could spit lead at an alarming rate. DAMION SMITH was indicted September 15, 2023, on charges related to violating the Federal Gun Control Act, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Smith, a convicted felon, allegedly had in his possession two firearms rigged with Glock auto-sears. These devices aren’t harmless accessories; they effectively convert semi-automatic pistols into fully-automatic machine guns – a clear violation of federal law. Court documents reveal Smith’s prior felony convictions in Jefferson Parish should have already disqualified him from owning any firearms.

The feds caught wind of Smith’s alleged illegal arsenal on June 29, 2023. The ATF investigation uncovered the modified firearms, prompting the indictment. Now, Smith is looking at a potential fifteen-year stretch in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8) carries those penalties, along with up to three years of supervised release.

But it doesn’t stop there. Smith also faces up to ten years behind bars and another $250,000 fine if found guilty of possessing machine guns, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2). Add to that a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count – meaning the financial hit could be substantial even before legal fees pile up. U.S. Attorney Evans was quick to point out that an indictment is merely an accusation, and Smith is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being touted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated law enforcement efforts. The program focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention groups, and strategically targeting enforcement. The DOJ launched a revamped PSN in May 2021, aiming for a more comprehensive approach.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Kennedy of the Violent Crime Unit handling the prosecution. The ATF’s New Orleans Field Division was instrumental in uncovering the illegal firearms and building the case against Smith. Expect more aggressive enforcement of gun laws as the PSN program continues to unfold, officials say.

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