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NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DESEAN CHRISTY, age 37, of New Orleans, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to the remaining two counts of a three-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Act. He had previously pleaded guilty to only Count 3 of the indictment. He was charged in Count 1 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 2 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); and in Count 3 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. Due to his criminal history, he is prohibited from having a firearm. He is now convicted of possessing possessing a Glock 22, .40 caliber handgun as a felon and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime when he was arrested while possessing cocaine base (“crack”) with the intent to distribute.

For Count 1, CHRISTY faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 and at least three (3) years of supervised release. For Count 2, he faces a mandatory minimum of five (5) years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five (5) years of supervised release.  Any sentence imposed for Count 2 shall be served consecutive to any other term of imprisonment.  For Count 3, he faces a maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release.  CHRISTY must also pay a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee, per count.

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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.