New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge

NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAJUAN MARTIN, age 24, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on September 19, 2023 to an indictment charging him with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, MARTIN was arrested on June 13, 2022, by New Orleans Police Department officers after they identified him driving a stolen scooter.  When MARTIN fled from officers, he discarded a loaded Glock, nine-millimeter handgun.  Further investigation revealed that MARTIN had been convicted in 2017 and 2018 for illegal carrying of a weapon. These convictions prohibited his possession of a firearm.  

The maximum penalties for this firearm charge, is up to ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2023.

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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Rayburn of the Violent Crime Unit.