Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MELVIN WALKER, age 46, pleaded guilty yesterday to being a felon in possession of firearms before the Honorable Sarah S. Vance.   

According to Court documents, in July 2017, a search of WALKER’S residence revealed four (4) pistols, three of which had rounds in the chamber.   The firearms were identified as a Springfield XD 9mm, serial number XD824567; Taurus PT 1911 .45, serial number NAT57516; SCCY Industries 9mm, serial number 340125, and a Taurus .38 special revolver, serial number XG15534. WALKER was previously convicted of a felony on August 2, 2010 in Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans in the State of Louisiana in case number 489-303 “B” for possession with intent to distribute marijuana in violation of La. R.S. 14:966(A)(2).   

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 praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this matter.  Special Assistant United States Attorneys Emily K. Greenfield and Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson are in charge of the prosecution.