NEW ORLEANS, LA – A 19-year-old New Orleans resident, TYRESE HARRIS, has confessed to a spree of brazen carjackings that terrorized the city throughout late 2021 and early 2022. Harris pled guilty Monday to a five-count superseding indictment, admitting his role in a conspiracy to commit the crimes, along with the actual commission of multiple vehicle thefts, one of which left a victim seriously injured.
According to federal prosecutors, Harris conspired with others to carjack victims beginning on August 19, 2021. The first confirmed incident occurred on Washington Avenue, where Harris directly participated in the theft of a vehicle. He then allegedly attempted another carjacking on Howard Avenue on January 18, 2022, before escalating to a particularly violent incident on February 1, 2022, on S. Carrollton Avenue. In that case, the victim suffered serious bodily injury.
The charges against Harris are substantial. Count 1 accuses him of conspiracy to commit carjackings, carrying a potential sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. Counts 2 and 4, both detailing specific carjacking attempts, each carry a maximum sentence of 15 years and a $250,000.00 fine. Critically, Count 3 alleges Harris used a firearm during the commission of a carjacking, triggering a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years, potentially extending to life imprisonment, to be served consecutively with any other sentence handed down. A $250,000.00 fine also applies.
The most serious charge, Count 5, concerns the February 1st carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury. This carries a maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment, along with a $250,000.00 fine. On top of these potential prison terms, Harris faces a $100.00 special assessment fee for each count. Sentencing is currently scheduled for May 30, 2023, leaving little doubt that Harris will spend a significant portion of his life behind bars.
Federal authorities are framing the case as a victory for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies aimed at curbing violent crime. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN program last May, emphasizing community trust, prevention, and strategic enforcement.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit is prosecuting the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story as it develops and provide updates on the sentencing and any further legal proceedings.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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