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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MICHAEL CRAWFORD, age 27, from New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on January 4, 2023 to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, CRAWFORD exchanged gunfire with an individual at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Louisa Street and sustained gunshot wounds.  Moments later, law enforcement encountered CRAWFORD in possession of a firearm. CRAWFORD was prohibited from firearm possession because he was convicted of Possession of Tramadol in 2019.

In pleading guilty, CRAWFORD faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00.  The defendant also faces a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.  The Honorable Sarah S. Vance set sentencing in this matter for April 5, 2023.

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 and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Maria Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.