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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on Thursday, July 1, 2021 that Matthew Barra, age 33, Joselyn Barra, age 54, and James Heigle, age 39, all from Orleans Parish, were charged in a six-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act, Misprision of a Felony, and False Declarations Before a Grand Jury.

Matthew Barra is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment.

Joselyn Barra is charged with misprision of a felony for intentionally lying to law enforcement regarding the investigation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4. If convicted on that charge, she faces a maximum sentence of three (3) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to one (1) year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment. She was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment.

James Heigle is charged with making false declarations before a grand jury, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1623. If convicted on that charge, he faces up to five (5) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment. Heigle is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment. Finally, Heigle is charged with being a violent felon in possession of body armor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 931. If convicted on that count, he faces up to three (3) years imprisonment, up to a  $250,000 fine, up to 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Gang Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa E. Bücher of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.