New Orleans Man Charged With Possessing a Firearm at Veterans Affairs Hospital in Violation of Domestic Violence Court Restraining Order

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that MEKAILL HARRIS, age 20, of New Orleans, was charged yesterday in a one count federal indictment with possession of a firearm while under a domestic violence court restraining order.  Federal law prohibits individuals who are subject to a domestic violence court restraining order from possessing firearms during the duration of the restraining order.

If convicted, HARRIS faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release of 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

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

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the law enforcement officers at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.