Terrance Pickett, Violating Federal Gun Control Act, Louisiana 2023

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Terrance Pickett, 27, of Zachary, Louisiana, is facing serious federal charges after being indicted on a single count of violating the Federal Gun Control Act, authorities announced Friday. The case highlights the ongoing crackdown on illegal firearm possession by those with prior convictions.

According to the indictment, Pickett is accused of possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon – a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Details of the weapon itself, or the circumstances of its discovery, remain scarce at this early stage of the legal proceedings.

If convicted, Pickett faces a stiff penalty: a maximum of 15 years in federal prison. Beyond incarceration, he could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000, serve up to three years of supervised release following his prison term, and pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The wheels of justice will turn slowly before any of these punishments are applied.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans was quick to emphasize that the indictment is not a declaration of guilt. “This is merely an accusation,” Evans stated, “and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” The prosecution will bear the burden of proof, presenting evidence to convince a jury of Pickett’s culpability.

This case is being prosecuted under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence across the country. The program aims to foster collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement, alongside community organizations, to address the root causes of crime and improve neighborhood safety. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on trust-building, community support, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.

The investigation was a joint effort between the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller, of the Violent Crime Unit, is leading the prosecution. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available, shining a light on the underbelly of federal crime in Louisiana.

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