Christopher Pertuit, a 50-year-old resident of New Orleans, has been sentenced for violating the Federal Gun Control Act. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Pertuit was sentenced after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, which is against Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier handed down a sentence of 63 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Pertuit was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering community trust, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for their role in investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Irene González from the General Crimes Unit led the prosecution.