New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty for Possessing Firearm as a Felon

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on January 18, 2024, LARYAN REED, age 20, of Orleans Parish, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). REED’s sentencing is set for April 18, 2024.

As a consequence,  REED faces up to 15 years 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.  

According to court records, on February 17, 2023, the Friday before Mardi Gras, officers observed REED walking on Bourbon Street with an object shaped like a firearm in his waistband. When officers attempted to stop REED, he physically resisted but was eventually,  detained, and found in possession of a firearm.

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.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as the New Orleans Police Department. The case    is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit   .