Federal Grand Jury Indicts Kenner Man for Gun Offense

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BERNEL MICHAEL RHODES, age 20, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, was charged in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

If convicted, RHODES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.