New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge

NEW ORLEANS, LA –  DONALD HALE, age 34, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on July 27, 2023 to  possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, New Orleans Police Department officers were surveilling   a high crime area when they observed HALE carrying a concealed weapon. When officers approached HALE, he fled the scene and discarded the firearm.  HALE was apprehended and found to be in possession of a second firearm. Further investigation revealed that HALE is a convicted felon, thus prohibiting his possession of a firearm.

HALE faces a maximum term of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  HALE will be sentenced on October 31, 2023.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Rayburn of the Violent Crimes Unit.