Regis Grimes, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Louisiana 2023

NEW ORLEANS, LA – A New Orleans man with a criminal past is off the streets after receiving a 57-month federal sentence for illegally possessing a handgun. Regis Grimes, 34, was sentenced Thursday, April 27, 2023, after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

The bust originated with a concerned citizen tip. On May 4, 2022, the New Orleans Police Department responded to reports of narcotics distribution occurring on the steps of Triumph Church, located in the 3400 block of Loyola Avenue. Officers found Grimes allegedly dealing drugs and, critically, sporting a pistol tucked into his waistband. Grimes’ prior felony conviction already barred him from legally owning a firearm.

U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon handed down the 57-month prison term. After completing his sentence, Grimes will face three years of supervised release. The court opted against a fine but imposed a mandatory $100 special assessment fee – a small price to pay for breaking federal gun laws.

Federal authorities are framing the case as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a collaborative effort between various law enforcement agencies and local communities aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, preventative measures, and targeted enforcement.

The investigation was a joint operation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed, of the Public Integrity Unit, prosecuted the case. The ATF’s New Orleans Field Division played a key role in building the case against Grimes.

While the sentence provides a temporary removal of a convicted felon and an illegal firearm from the streets of New Orleans, the larger issues of gun violence and narcotics trafficking continue to plague the city. The effectiveness of PSN and similar programs will ultimately be measured by their long-term impact on reducing crime rates and improving public safety in a city consistently ranked among the most dangerous in the nation.

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