Press Releases
CONVICTED FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM SENTENCED IN FEDERAL COURT
October 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEROY SMITH, age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 78 months imprisonment for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
SMITH pled guilty in June 2008 before U. S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The count carried a maximum statutory penalty of ten (10) years incarceration.
According to court documents, SMITH was in possession of a rifle on New Year’s Day in 2007 as he walked down General Taylor Street in the Uptown area of New Orleans. SMITH has three prior felony convictions, making him a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Specifically, on February 6, 1997, in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Case No. 383-045 “I,” SMITH received a conviction for attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of LA-R.S. 14:(27)95.1; on November 10, 1993, in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Case No. 365-318 “H,” SMITH received a conviction for possession of crack-cocaine, in violation of LA-R.S. 40:967(C)(2); and on March 6, 1990, in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Case No. 339-414"H,” SMITH received a conviction for forcible rape, in violation of LA-R.S. 14:42.1. SMITH pled guilty to the charge alleged in the initial indictment.
SMITH was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2007.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Officers of the New Orleans Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Privitera of the Violent Crimes Unit.
