Maurice Florant, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Louisiana 2022

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – 36-year-old Maurice Florant, a New Orleans resident, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

According to court documents, Florant faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Additionally, there is a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier scheduled sentencing for December 5, 2024.

The incident occurred on September 9, 2022, when the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a stolen vehicle alert and spotted Florant at a gas station, seated in the stolen vehicle. When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, Florant fled, leading to a high-speed and dangerous chase.

During the pursuit, Florant struck a JPSO police vehicle before crashing into the exterior air conditioning unit of an apartment complex. He then fled on foot and was eventually apprehended. A search of the vehicle revealed two firearms: a Palmetto State Armory Model PA-15, .556-millimeter pistol, located on the rear driver’s side floorboard, and a CZ Scorpion Model EVO 3 S1, nine-millimeter pistol, located on the front passenger side floorboard.

Court documents also show that Florant had been previously convicted of Manslaughter in Orleans Parish District Criminal Court.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller is handling the prosecution.

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