New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Violations, Making False Statements to a Federal Firearms Licensee

According to court documents, HANKTON is a convicted felon, and is prohibited from possessing and purchasing firearms.  In 2009, HANKTON was convicted of possession of cocaine.  In 2010, HANKTON was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On July 20, 2019, HANKTON was involved in a hit-and-run at the McDonald’s on Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans, LA.  During the hit-and-run, HANKTON’s vehicle struck another vehicle as both vehicles were in the drive-thru. When the passenger of the vehicle struck by HANKTON’s vehicle exited her vehicle, HANKTON attempted to drive off, striking the female passenger and a security guard who was attempting to respond to the accident.  The driver of the vehicle that was struck by HANKTON’s vehicle followed behind HANKTON’s vehicle.  HANKTON eventually exited his vehicle, brandished a Glock Model 23, .40 caliber pistol, and fired multiple rounds of ammunition into the driver’s vehicle. The driver was not injured.  HANKTON fled the scene.  Days later, officers with the New Orleans Police Department located HANKTON and located the firearm used in the shooting inside of HANKTON’s vehicle.

Within days of being released on bond, HANKTON went to a local firearm store and attempted to take possession of a firearm that he claimed was purchased by his girlfriend.  HANKTON’s girlfriend completed an ATF 4473 firearm, attesting that she purchased the firearm for herself.  HANKTON’s girlfriend later recanted her statement, admitting that the firearm was purchased for HANKTON. HANKTON made a false statement on the ATF 4473 form for the purpose of deceiving the firearms dealer into selling him a firearm.

On December 9, 2020, New Orleans Police Department officers conducted surveillance near the intersection of S. Liberty and St. Andrew Streets when they observed HANKTON standing by his truck.  HANKTON opened the driver’s side door of his vehicle. Officers observed HANKTON lift up a Radical Firearms, LLC Model AR-15, .223 caliber rifle from behind the driver’s seat of his truck. The officers conducted a stop of HANKTON and located the rifle on the rear driver’s seat.

HANKTON faces a sentence up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00,  up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00 for each count.  The Honorable Sarah S. Vance, United States District Court Judge, will sentence HANKTON on March 20, 2024.