Torin Jenkins, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Louisiana 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Torin Jenkins, 29, of New Orleans, is headed to federal prison for 37 months after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan handed down the sentence on March 12, along with three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment fee. The case underscores the ongoing federal crackdown on gun crime in a city plagued by violence.

The bust went down December 3, 2021, when New Orleans Police Department officers moved to arrest Jenkins on outstanding warrants. According to court documents, Jenkins attempted to ditch a Glock Model 36, .45 caliber handgun out of his window during the arrest. Officers recovered the weapon after taking him into custody, confirming it was the object he’d tossed.

Jenkins now faces the consequences for violating 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) – federal statutes prohibiting convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms. The charge carries a significant penalty, reflecting the serious nature of the offense and the potential for further criminal activity. His prior conviction wasn’t specified in the release, but it was enough to disqualify him from legally owning a weapon.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans touted the collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department. The investigation and prosecution fall under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement and community engagement.

PSN, recently bolstered by a Department of Justice strategy launched in May 2021, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention groups, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts. While the program’s effectiveness remains a point of debate among community activists, federal officials insist it’s a vital tool in the fight against crime.

Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich, of the Violent Crime Unit, prosecuted the case. The 37-month sentence sends a clear message, authorities say, that illegally possessing a firearm as a felon will not be tolerated in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Grimy Times will continue to follow the fallout of this case and other federal prosecutions in the region.

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