Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO GUN CHARGES
April 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRALEN BENSON, age 29, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to a federal felony relating to being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten today.
According to factual basis, on November 16, 2008, BENSON was apprehended by the New Orleans Police Department following an apparent drug transaction near Frenchman Street and Johnson Street in New Orleans. During his arrest, the officers discovered that BENSON was in possession of a Beretta .9mm handgun, model 92 FS.
Subsequent investigation revealed that BENSON was convicted on October 25, 2007 in Orleans Parish of simple possession of heroin and simple possession of cocaine BENSON also pled guilty on the same date to simple possession of heroin from a prior arrest.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of at least ten (10) years, a $250,000.00 fine, forfeiture of the weapon and up to three (3) years of federal supervision after the completion of a prison sentence. Sentencing is to be held on June 16, 2009 before Judge Africk
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the New Orleans Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Violent Crime Unit.
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