U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
New Orleans Man Indicted for Threats Against Veterans Affairs Hospital
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOHN POWELL (“POWELL”), age 77, a New Orleans native, was indicted on October 18, 2024, for making interstate threat communications, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c).
According to the court documents, POWELL called the National Veterans Crisis Hotline and threatened to kill as many employees of the Veterans Affairs Hospital in New Orleans as he could.
POWELL faces up to 5 years imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and Veterans Affairs Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Contact
Shane M. Jones
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department of Justice
Updated October 21, 2024
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