New Orleans Man Indicted for Crack Conspiracy and Federal Gun Charges

NEW ORLEANS – STEVE BANKS (“BANKS”), age 49, of New Orleans, was indicted on February 14, 2025, for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.

BANKS is charged in Count 1 with possession, with the intent to distribute, 280 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing crack, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A).  Count 2 charges BANKS with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).  Count 3 charges BANKS with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

As to the drug trafficking charge in Count 1, BANKS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years of supervised release.  For Count 2, BANKS faces a maximum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.  For Count 3, BANKS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 5 years of supervised release.

According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown but prior to September 2024, and continuing to on or about October 21, 2024, BANKS conspired with others to distribute crack in the Eastern District of Louisiana.  On October 21, 2024, BANKS possessed, with the intent to distribute, 280 grams or more of a mixture containing crack, and three guns, including a Zastava Model ZPAP85, 5.56 millimeter semi-automatic rifle, a Glock Model 22, 40 millimeter semi-automatic pistol, with a loaded extended magazine, that had been reported stolen, and a Glock Model 17Gen5, nine millimeter semi-automatic pistol.

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

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.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit is in charge of the prosecution.