NEW ORLEANS, LA – Michael Crawford, 27, of New Orleans, is facing a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The guilty plea, entered on January 4, 2023, stems from a shooting incident that unfolded at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Louisa Street. Crawford wasn’t just carrying a gun; he was exchanging gunfire with another individual before being wounded himself.
According to court documents, the incident occurred when Crawford was caught in a shootout, sustaining gunshot wounds. Law enforcement arrived on the scene to find Crawford in possession of the weapon. This wasn’t a simple oversight. Crawford’s criminal history bars him from legally owning a firearm, having been convicted of Possession of Tramadol back in 2019. The charge he’s now admitted to violates Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the guilty plea, signaling a continued crackdown on illegal gun possession in the city. Crawford now faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, alongside a hefty fine of up to $250,000.00. But the penalties don’t stop there. He also faces up to three years of supervised release after serving his time, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.
The case is being touted as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement at all levels and the communities they serve. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategic enforcement. Whether this initiative truly impacts the streets remains to be seen.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department worked together on the investigation, a collaboration U.S. Attorney Evans praised. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Carboni is leading the prosecution, and is expected to argue for the maximum sentence when Crawford appears before the Honorable Sarah S. Vance for sentencing on April 5, 2023.
Crawford’s case is just one piece of the puzzle in a city struggling with gun violence. While federal authorities emphasize PSN’s community-based approach, the reality on the ground often feels far removed from bureaucratic programs. The question remains: will a ten-year sentence for one man truly make New Orleans streets safer?
Related Federal Cases
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