Meraux Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charges

According to court documents, on November 3, 2022, a St. Bernard Sheriff's Office deputy  stopped a vehicle after observing a small child freely moving around the interior of the vehicle.  During the stop, the deputy smelled marijuana inside the vehicle and advised WARD of his Miranda rights.  

After smelling marijuana in the vehicle, the deputy searched its interior and saw marijuana.  A black backpack was also seen on the seat behind the driver's seat.  Located within the backpack was a Century Arms Model Mini Draco, 7.62 x 39-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Glock Model 19, 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol. 

Deputies learned that WARD had a previous felony conviction on July 25, 2022, in the 22nd Judicial District Court, Parish of St. Tammany, Case No. 0863-F-2021, for Illegal Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Dangerous Substance, in violation of La. R.S. 40:969(c)(2).

WARD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  U.S. District  Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown set sentencing for January 18, 2024.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.