U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Being Felon in Possession of Firearm
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that, WARDELL FLETCHER (“FLETCHER”), age 49, was sentenced on July 29, 2025, by United States District Judge Brandon S. Long, after previously pleading 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).
FLETCHER was sentenced to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, to be served consecutively with any pending state sentence. Judge Long also ordered that FLETCHER be placed on supervised release for (3) three years upon release from imprisonment and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, on December 27, 2023, FLETCHER possessed a Taurus Model 608, .357 Magnum caliber revolver and ammunition. FLETCHER, who knew he was a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms. Following an altercation, FLETCHER used the firearm to shoot a victim at a Circle K gas station in New Orleans.
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.
Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson praisedthe work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.
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Contact
Shane M. Jones
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department of Justice
Updated August 5, 2025
Topic
Project Safe Neighborhoods