New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Gun Control Act

According to court records, on March 19, 2024, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at WALTON’s residence.  During the search, agents found a Springfield, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol, in a kitchen cabinet wrapped in a towel.  In the kitchen, they also found approximately one and a half pounds of marijuana.  Additionally, the agents located a hidden compartment under a set of stairs leading to the second story.  In this hidden compartment, they found a Smith and Wesson, .40 caliber pistol, and approximately $37,941 of U.S. currency.  The Smith & Wesson firearm was confirmed to have been stolen.  A records check showed that WALTON was a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms.  Court records confirmed that WALTON had at least five felony convictions, including a prior federal conviction for being a felon 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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Slidell Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit.

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