Jarrod Carter, a 29-year-old resident of New Orleans, has pled guilty to violating the Federal Gun Control Act by being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was entered on February 13, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Court records indicate that officers from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) received a complaint about several unidentified black males brandishing firearms and distributing narcotics on Mandeville Street in New Orleans. A Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer (TFO) from NOPD observed Carter walking with a black AR-15 style rifle and a backpack. Attempts to contact marked units for detaining him were unsuccessful due to unavailability.
The following day, January 3, 2023, the TFO again saw Carter in the same area carrying the same backpack that appeared to contain a rifle. NOPD officers subsequently stopped and searched Carter, finding a loaded Taurus .40 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number in his waistband. A search of his backpack revealed a loaded Springfield AR-15 style rifle. As a previously convicted felon, Carter was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Chief Judge Brown has scheduled sentencing for May 8, 2025. For each count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Carter faces up to 15 years imprisonment, fines up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller is prosecuting the case as Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.