New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Gun Control Act

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – COREY HALE, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to 70 months incarceration after previously  pleading guilty  to a two-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  Judge Fallon ordered that HALE  be placed on  supervised release for three (3) years following release from imprisonment.  HALE was also ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

According to public records, on May 26, 2020, a Louisiana State Police (“LSP”) trooper was conducting speed enforcement  near Marrero, LA.  The trooper clocked a blue Chevrolet HHR vehicle driving at 101 mph in a  60 mph zone.  After stopping the vehicle, the trooper determined that  HALE did not have insurance and turned off the ignition.  While doing so, the trooper saw and a marijuana and a Taurus Model G2c 9-millimeter firearm on the passenger floorboard of the car.  HALE then fled the scene on foot and escaped.  The trooper later learned the firearm was stolen and the temporary tag on the vehicle was fake.

On August 3, 2020, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office charged HALE with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as possession of narcotics.  On November 29, 2021, an attachment was issued for when HALE failed to appear in Jefferson Parish Criminal Court.  A bail bondsmen eventually attempted to locate and arrest HALE at his residence.  While doing so, they saw him flee into the backyard.  As the bondsmen struggled to arrest  HALE, they observed as he pulled a firearm from his waistband.  Thereafter, a gun shot went off, striking one of the agents.  Eventually, the bondsmen wrestled the firearm, a Bersa Model Thunder, .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, out of HALE’s hands.  HALE later admitted to possessing the handgun.

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.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter.  The case was  prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit.