Ernest Blackmon Sentenced to 30 Months on Federal Gun Charge

Ernest Blackmon, age 25, a resident of Chalmette, Louisiana, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by U. S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan after he pleaded guilty to one-count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. In addition to 30 months of incarceration, Blackmon received three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.

According to court documents, the New Orleans Police Department stopped a vehicle for numerous traffic violations during a low speed car chase on December 3, 2011, in New Orleans. During the police encounter, Blackmon, who was the driver of the vehicle, was found to be in possession of a Smith & Wesson, model SW40VE, .40 caliber pistol. His passenger, Jonathan Frank, was also found to be in possession of a firearm, has been convicted as a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 46 months incarceration. Federal gun charges are still pending against the back seated passenger, Wayne Handy.

Court records revealed that Blackmon was convicted on or about August 18, 2008, for the possession of crack cocaine, in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, a felony punishable by more than one year of incarceration. As such, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm by both state and federal law.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crime Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the New Orleans Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera.