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NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that EDWARD BELL, age 26 of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to a one-count superseding bill of information for being a felon in possession of ammunition in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, BELL was arrested by law enforcement officers after being discovered in a stolen vehicle in Kenner, Louisiana on April 20, 2020. At the time, he had a nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine tucked in his waistband. The firearm was loaded with Lapua, Barnes, and Hornady ammunition, which is unlawful to possess by a convicted felon. BELL was previously convicted of numerous drug and firearm felonies in Orleans Parish.

BELL faces a maximum term of ten 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 mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The Honorable United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance has set sentencing for August 3, 2022.

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.

United States Attorney Evans praised the work of the Kenner Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.