NEW ORLEANS, LA – A New Orleans man with a criminal past is off the streets after receiving a 65-month federal sentence for possessing an illegal firearm. Shawn Rabathaly, 23, pleaded guilty to violating federal gun control laws on February 28, 2023, and the sentence was handed down today.
According to court documents, Rabathaly was under the watchful eye of investigators when he was observed loading an Anderson Model AM-15, a 5.56 caliber assault rifle, into a vehicle he occupied. He’s already a prohibited person – a prior felony conviction in Orleans Parish for illegal possession of a controlled substance bars him from legally owning a firearm.
Federal prosecutors brought the charge under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), effectively demonstrating that Rabathaly knowingly broke the law by possessing the weapon. The case underscores the ongoing federal effort to keep guns out of the hands of individuals with a history of criminal activity.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans framed the case within the larger context of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative between federal, state, and local law enforcement designed to combat violent crime. The program, recently bolstered by a Department of Justice strategy, focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention programs, and targeted enforcement.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dustin Strauss of the Violent Crimes Unit led the prosecution, highlighting the dedication of federal resources to addressing gun violence in the region.
Rabathaly’s 65-month sentence sends a clear message: those who illegally possess firearms, particularly individuals with prior convictions, will face significant federal penalties. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the effectiveness of PSN in curbing gun violence in New Orleans and beyond.
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