United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ORONDE GABRIEL, age 38, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on March 30, 2023 to a single count 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, GABRIEL was in an automobile accident on September 27, 2021.  A police officer observed the crash, approached the scene and found GABRIEL in possession of a Taurus Model G2C, nine-millimeter caliber handgun.  GABRIEL had been previously convicted of conspiracy to make false and fictitious statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, in United States District Court, (Eastern District of Louisiana).

GABRIEL faces a maximum term of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.    

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 Orleans Levee District Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Strauss of the Violent Crimes Unit.

Original source can be found here.