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NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DESEAN CHRISTY, age 37, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on February 25, 2022 in a three-count indictment by a federal grand jury for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Act. Specifically, in Count One CHRISTY is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  In Count Two, he is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  Finally, in Count Three, he is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, CHRISTY was previously convicted of illegally possessing heroin, cocaine, and attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. Due to his criminal history, he is prohibited from having a firearm. He is now charged with possessing a Glock 22, .40 caliber handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on February 10, 2022. He is further alleged to have possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).

If convicted of Count 1, CHRISTY faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. If convicted of Count 2, he faces a minimum of five (5) years and up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to five (5) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. If convicted of Count 3, he faces a maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.