New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Four Carjackings and Four Violations of The Federal Gun Control Act

Published 6:43 am Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WAYNE ONEAL, age 20, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to an eight-count (8) bill of information for four carjackings, and four counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

For each count of carjacking, ONEAL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years, 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.

For each count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, ONEAL faces a minimum term of imprisonment of seven (7) years, up to a maximum term of imprisonment of life, to be run consecutive to each other, and all other counts, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

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 works 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the New Orleans Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel.