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NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Mikal Black, age 23, of Ironton, Louisiana, was charged on July 16, 2021 in a four count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, Black was previously convicted of manufacturing a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. Being a felon, Black is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. He is charged with possessing ammunition on July 5, 2020 and August 6, 2020 and a firearm on July 5, 2020, August 6, 2020 and August 11, 2020. If convicted of these offenses, BLACK Faces a maximum term of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee on each count.

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 Plaquemines Parish Sherriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.