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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Ashonti Hall, 30, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2021 to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

In October 2019, Hall was indicted for possessing heroin, cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, and marijuana with the intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Court documents show that as part of his plea, Hall admitted that he fled from New Orleans Police Department Officers who were investigating Hall for a shooting that occurred the previous day.  The police caught Hall and found him in possession of a backpack that contained several different types of drugs, scales, cash, and a loaded gun.

Sentencing is set for August 4, 2021 before District Judge Vance.  Hall faces a sentence of at least five years imprisonment up to life, a $250,000 fine, five years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the New Orleans Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.