Keilen Hawkins, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Louisiana 2023

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Keilen Hawkins, 25, is facing serious federal charges after being indicted by a grand jury on May 12, 2023, for possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon. The case, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department, highlights the ongoing crackdown on illegal gun possession in the city.

According to the indictment, Hawkins is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Federal prosecutors are prepared to argue that Hawkins knowingly possessed a firearm while legally prohibited due to a prior felony conviction. The specifics of that prior conviction haven’t been released.

If convicted on this single count, Hawkins could face a maximum sentence of fifteen years imprisonment. Beyond the lengthy jail time, he’s also looking at a potential fine of up to $250,000, a mandatory $100 special assessment fee, and up to three years of supervised release after serving his sentence. The wheels of justice are turning, but U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has stressed that an indictment is not a conviction.

This case isn’t being treated as an isolated incident. It’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative. PSN aims to bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with community organizations, to aggressively tackle violent crime and gun violence. Launched in 2021, the revamped PSN focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention programs, and strategically prioritizing enforcement efforts.

Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins, of the Violent Crimes Unit, is leading the prosecution. She will be tasked with proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Hawkins illegally possessed the firearm. The investigation, a joint effort between the ATF and the NOPD, suggests a coordinated approach to addressing gun crime in a city plagued by violence. No details of how Hawkins came to possess the weapon have been released.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the federal court system. The outcome will undoubtedly send a message – either of deterrence or leniency – in a city desperate for a solution to its ongoing struggles with gun violence. The next court date for Keilen Hawkins has not yet been announced.

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