⏱ 2 min read
Ralph Price, a 28-year-old New Orleans man, has pleaded guilty to a slew of serious crimes, including possession of machineguns and trafficking methamphetamine, Suboxone, and marijuana in the New Orleans area since at least 2024. On March 13, 2025, law enforcement officers executed search warrants on Price’s vehicle and an apartment where he was staying, uncovering a trove of illicit substances and a Glock Model 19 pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device. The machinegun was linked to a shooting at a gas station on Crowder Boulevard just a week earlier, with surveillance footage showing Price confronting and firing at a man in the parking lot.
Price’s guilty plea came on July 9, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier, and he now faces 15 years in prison. The plea agreement also includes a term of supervised release of at least three years up to life, as well as a maximum $250,000 fine and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the city. Price’s conviction serves as a significant blow to these illicit activities, and his lengthy prison sentence reflects the severity of his crimes.
The use of machineguns in drug trafficking and violent crime is a growing concern in New Orleans, and Price’s case underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to address this issue. As the city struggles to combat these problems, the conviction of individuals like Price serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive policing and community engagement.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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