Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL GUN CHARGES
April 23, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BERNARD D. SANCHEZ, JR., age 29, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the factual basis, on February 18, 2008, authorities from the Louisiana Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole, responding to a complaint at a residence in the 2300 block of A. P. Turead Street in New Orleans regarding a convicted felon on active probation, encountered SANCHEZ asleep in a bedroom. During the subsequent investigation, authories observed a handgun directly under SANCHEZ him on the bed.
SANCHEZ was convicted of attempted possession of heroin and possession of crack cocaine in Orleans Parish on July 1, 2004 and was, at the time of his arrest, on active probation for that conviction. Additionally, on July 18, 1997, SANCHEZ pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
SANCHEZ was indicted on the gun charge by a federal grand jury on February 28, 2008. He now faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. SANCHEZ’s sentencing is scheduled for July 30, 2008.
This investigation was conducted by the Louisiana Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Christopher Cox of the Violent Crime Unit.
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