U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Shane Bolden, a 25-year-old resident of New Orleans, pled guilty to federal drug and weapons violations on January 8, 2025. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk.
Court documents reveal that the New Orleans Police Department executed a search warrant at Bolden's residence on April 8, 2024. During the search, over a pound of marijuana intended for distribution and eight firearms were recovered. The firearms included a Glock Model 33 loaded with armor-piercing rounds, among others. Bolden is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including one for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Authorities also seized over $108,000 in cash from Bolden's residence.
Bolden has agreed to forfeit all firearms and cash to the United States government. For his conviction related to marijuana distribution, he faces up to five years in prison and a minimum of two years of supervised release. The firearm possession conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release. Each count could result in fines up to $250,000 and includes a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and supporting organizations that prevent violence. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to enhance PSN through strategic enforcement priorities.
The investigation was conducted by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit is prosecuting the case.