David Coulter, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Louisiana 2023

NEW ORLEANS, LA – David Coulter, 34, of New Orleans, has confessed to a crime he was already legally barred from committing. Coulter pleaded guilty August 8th to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge stemming from a January 2022 incident. This isn’t his first rodeo; the man has a history, a long one, of run-ins with the law.

Court documents reveal Coulter’s rap sheet includes a prior conviction for cocaine possession, and multiple convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm or weapon within Orleans Parish. Despite this documented pattern, despite being explicitly prohibited from owning a gun, Coulter was found to be in possession of a Glock Model 34, nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun on both January 16th and 18th, 2022. The ATF and New Orleans PD weren’t buying his explanations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel, of the Violent Crime Unit, built the case against Coulter. The evidence pointed to a clear violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) – federal statutes designed to keep guns out of the hands of those already deemed a threat. Coulter’s defense offered no compelling argument to dispute the facts.

Now, Coulter is looking at a maximum sentence of up to 10 years behind bars. Beyond the potential prison time, he faces a hefty fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release after serving his time. A mandatory $100 special assessment fee will also be tacked onto the punishment. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on November 28, 2023, giving him time to consider his choices.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans framed the prosecution as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. While PSN touts fostering trust within communities, the reality on the streets of New Orleans remains grim. Another gun is off the street, another felon held accountable – but the cycle of violence continues.

The ATF and the New Orleans Police Department jointly investigated the case. While the agencies celebrate this win, the Grimy Times knows this is just one battle in a never-ending war. Expect more arrests, more pleas, and more guns seized, as the city struggles to contain its ongoing crime problems. The question remains: will programs like PSN truly make a difference, or are they just a temporary bandage on a gaping wound?

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