Mekail Harris, Gun Possession, Louisiana 2024

A 20-year-old New Orleans man was hit with federal charges after being caught with a firearm on the grounds of a Veterans Affairs hospital while under an active domestic violence court restraining order. Mekail Harris was named in a one-count indictment unsealed yesterday, accused of violating federal law that bars individuals under such orders from possessing guns.

Harris, whose name and age were confirmed by U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser, allegedly carried the weapon into the VA Medical Center facility—location not specified—placing vulnerable veterans and medical staff in potential danger. Federal law is clear: anyone under a qualified domestic violence restraining order is banned from possessing firearms for the duration of the order, no exceptions.

If convicted, Harris faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000.00 fine, and three years of supervised release following incarceration. He will also be required to pay a mandatory special assessment of $100.00. Prosecutors emphasized that the charge carries serious weight, reflecting the government’s stance on keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals deemed dangerous by court order.

The case was investigated by law enforcement officers stationed at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, whose swift action prevented what could have been a catastrophic incident. U.S. Attorney Strasser commended their vigilance, noting that securing federal medical facilities is a top priority—especially when armed individuals with violent histories attempt to enter.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to slash violent crime through targeted enforcement. PSN leverages local, state, and federal partnerships to identify high-risk offenders and deploy coordinated strategies to remove them from communities. Harris’ arrest underscores PSN’s focus on intercepting armed individuals before violence erupts.

Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is leading the prosecution. Authorities remind the public that an indictment is not a conviction—Harris is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The court has yet to schedule a trial date.

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