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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JACOB BANKS, age 32, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on October 5, 2022 before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to violating the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court documents, BANKS possessed a Springfield Arms .45 caliber pistol after he had already been convicted of several felony offenses.  BANKS also admitted to possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute it and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity.

BANKS pleaded guilty to 3 Charges.   BANKS faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment on the felon in possession of a firearm charge.  He faces an additional penalty on the drug count of 0-20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release.  On the additional gun charge, BANKS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years up to life that must run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. Finally, for each count to which he pled guilty , Banks faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  Sentencing is set for January 11, 2023.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.