New Orleans man found in possession of machine guns sentenced

Published 10:00 am Sunday, August 22, 2021

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NEW ORLEANS– U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on Thursday, August 19, 2021, that Lloyd Washington, age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced on August 19, 2021 to 120 months in the Bureau of Prisons after pleading guilty to a three-count Indictment.  In Count 1, Washington was charged with Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  In Count 2, Washington was charged with Possession of Machine Guns in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2).  In Count 3, Washington was charged with Possession of Non-Registered Firearms in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5841, 5861(d), and 5871.

United States District Court Judge Carl Barbier sentenced Washington to 120 months for each count of the Indictment.  Counts 1, 2, and 3 will run concurrent with one another.  Upon release, Washinton will be supervised by U.S. Probation for a period of three years.  The Court did not impose a fine.

On July 20, 2020, New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) officers were dispatched to a call for service regarding an illegal discharge of a firearm in the 4100 block of Eagle Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.  Residents who lived next door to Washington reported a bullet entering their residence.  No residents were struck by the bullet.  Responding officers observed the trajectory of the points of entry and exit and concluded that the bullet likely originated from Washington’s residence.

Upon arriving at Washington’s residence, officers observed Washington standing inside of the residence.  Washington was detained while officers conducted their investigation.

While searching the exterior of Washington’s residence, officers discovered two firearms with loaded with magazines: a Ruger, model LCP, .380 caliber pistol, bearing serial number 371320740; and a Glock, model 22, .40 caliber pistol, bearing serial 00841MPD and equipped with a Glock switch converter.  The firearms were located on the top of a slab of concrete.  Officers also observed a black bag containing a third weapon, a Zastava, model PAP M92 PV, 7.62×39 caliber pistol, bearing serial number M92PV068277, loaded with two magazines taped together.

Officers elected to interview Washington.   Washington admitted that he was in possession of a firearm and that the firearm accidentally discharged while in his possession.  When asked about the three firearms located in the alley of his residence, Washington admitted that he owned and maintained possession of the firearms.  When asked if he possessed additional firearms, Washington admitted that he was in possession of additional firearms inside of his residence.

NOPD obtained a search warrant for Washington’s residence.  During the search of the residence,  the following items, including firearms and ammunition, were located: (1) a .40 caliber magazine with 4 live rounds of ammunition; (2) a box of .38 special ammunition containing 9 live rounds; (3) a box of .380 caliber ammunition containing 7 live rounds; (4) one 7.62x39mm magazine with an unknown number of live rounds; (5) one clear plastic bag containing multiple caliber rounds of ammunition; (6) a red duffle bag containing a rifle scope and a pistol grip; (7) a Glock, model 17, 9mm caliber pistol, bearing serial number BHBZ225; (8) a Glock switch convertor; (9) a box with live 9mm rounds; (10) a 7.62x39mm circle drum loaded with an unknown number of live rounds; (11) a box with 13 live 9mm rounds; (12) a Plainfield Machine Co., Paratrooper, .30 caliber rifle, bearing serial number 43211; (13) an Izhmash, model IJ70-17A, .380 caliber pistol,  bearing serial number BTK3233; (14) a Heritage Mfg. Inc. model Rough Rider, .22 caliber pistol, bearing serial number R36814; and (15) a Taurus, model PT24/7 G2, .40 caliber pistol, bearing serial number SIM30213.

Washington is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

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.

This case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.