U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Brian Ward, a 30-year-old resident of New Orleans, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing took place on January 16, 2025, and was presided over by U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe.
Court documents reveal that Ward's arrest occurred on January 7, 2024, following an altercation with another individual on Bourbon Street. During the incident, Ward reportedly produced and discharged a firearm at the other man involved in the dispute. Law enforcement officers subsequently arrested Ward and recovered his firearm—a Taurus Model PT140 G2 .40 caliber pistol—nearby after he attempted to hide it near a van. Additionally, investigators found a spent shell casing at the scene matching the recovered weapon.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities to create safer neighborhoods. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to enhance PSN with core principles including building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
U.S. Attorney Evans commended the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the New Orleans Police Department for their work on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman from the General Crimes Unit managed the prosecution.