New Orleans Couple Accused of Lying to Gun Dealer

New Orleans, LA – A chilling revelation from the Department of Justice USAO has brought grim headlines as Brandon Smith, 29, and Chelsie Williams, 23, are now staring down a battery of charges. Both residents of New Orleans have been hit with a six-count Indictment that alleges they made false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

According to the Indictment, Smith and Williams lied about their background when purchasing a rifle, a move that violated 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6). The duo also faces charges of being felons in possession of a firearm, as stipulated by 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).

Should Smith and Williams be found guilty on all counts, they could face a decade behind bars, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100 for each charge.

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans emphasized that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

In recognizing the thoroughness of the investigation, Evans commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their diligent work on this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Ryan McLaren is leading the prosecution against Smith and Williams.

This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the gravity associated with firearms fraud and illegal gun possession in Louisiana. As the justice system begins to weigh its course, the fate of Smith and Williams hangs in the balance.

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