Federal Jury Convicts New Orleans Man for Two Bank Robberies, Drug Conspiracy, and Obstruction of Justice

NEW ORLEANS—GERARD A. JACKSON, JR., age 45, a resident of New Orleans, was convicted today by a federal jury of numerous charges contained in a multi-count indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to evidence produced at trial, on June 11, 2009, JACKSON committed armed robbery of the ASI Federal Credit Union located on Louisiana Avenue; and on July 1, 2009, used a firearm during the armed robbery of the Capitol Bank on St. Charles Avenue. Evidence also proved that JACKSON participated in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine 500 grams to less than five kilograms of cocaine in New Orleans during 2008 and 2009 and that in February 2009, he possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams to five kilograms of cocaine when he stole cocaine from his Lafayette source and fled to New Orleans.

Additionally, evidence showed that JACKSON attempted to conceal a material fact from law enforcement regarding the ASI Federal Credit Union Robbery by having his girlfriend report to the FBI that her car, which was used as the getaway vehicle, was stolen. It was also proven that after JACKSON’s arrest for the bank robberies, he attempted to get others to provide a false alibi showing he was working in Lafayette, Louisiana on the dates of the two bank robberies.

JACKSON faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sentencing in this matter has been scheduled for July 28, 2011, before U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier.

The investigation was conducted by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Tony Gordon Sanders and Rick Veters.