New Orleans Field Division
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New Orleans Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, explosive enforcement officers, auditors, technicians and support staff.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. ATF’s New Orleans Field Division special agents combat firearms violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gun traffickers and gangs. We also work in partnership with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s New Orleans Field Division special agents combat arson and explosives-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industries. Our industry operations investigators work to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner as mandated by federal law.
We encourage all residents to get involved and assist us in our goal of reducing crime in our communities. Give us a call and let us know what we can do for you. Our phone number is (504) 841-7000.
Phillip M. Durham
Division Management Team
- Phillip M. Durham
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Bobby Schaal
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Constance Hester
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Vacant
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Austin R. Banks
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive New Orleans Press Release Updates
Two "Fat City" Convenience Store Operators Plead Guilty to Arson
October 4, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WAEL HAMMAD, age 37, and ALAA HAMMAD, age 30, both residents of Gretna, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today in federal court before U. S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to a two count indictment charging each with conspiracy to commit arson and arson for the fire which occurred at Fat City Discount on December 14, 20111, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Brothers Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Drug and Gun Violations
October 4, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ARTHUR HARRIS, age 21, and his brother ANDRE HARRIS, age 26, both residents of New Orleans, Louisiana, were sentenced today by U. S. District Judge Carl Barbier to lengthy terms in federal prison, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
St. Tammany Man Sentenced to 10 Years For Meth Lab Operation
September 26, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NED ROSS WILSON, JR., age 40, a resident of Mandeville, Louisiana, was sentenced today to ten (10) years (120 months) of incarceration by U. S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan after pleading guilty to federal felonies involving the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of controlled substances and possession of an illegal sawed off shotgun, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Gun Charge
September 12, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CLARENCE RAYMOND, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced to 63 months of incarceration by U. S. District Court Judge Helen G. Berrigan after he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Houston Man Sentenced for Weapons Violation
September 6, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KENTRELL WASHINGTON, age 29, a resident of Houston, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U. S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance to over six years (77 months) in prison for illegally possessing a firearm in New Orleans, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Possession of Gasoline Bomb
August 14, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JAMES J. TREGLER, age 55, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U. S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to thirty-seven (37) months imprisonment for his role in possessing a destructive device, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Zainey imposed three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release. More »
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge
August 2, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CHAKA STEWART, age 31, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown to a one-count indictment for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
New Orleans Woman Sentenced for Making False Statements During Purchase of Firerams
July 25, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — RNA LACAYO, age 29, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. to serve six (6) months in home confinement, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Federal Gun Charges
July 25, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — KENDRICK DAVID WILKERSON, age 24, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced to 84 months of incarceration by United States District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle after WILKERSON pleaded guilty to being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 48 Months for Federal Gun Charges
July 25, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — ARTHUR DRUMMER, JR., age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced to 48 months of incarceration by United States District Court Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt after DRUMMER pled guilty to being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Local Rap Artist Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison on Charges Relating to Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Obstruction of Justice
July 18, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — CHRISTOPHER DORSEY, aka "BG", age 28, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U. S. District Court Judge Helen G. Berrigan to serve 168 months (14 years) in federal prison.More »
Michael Hooker Sentenced
June 22, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — MICHAEL HOOKER, age 33, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday to seventy (70) months of incarceration by U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. FallonMore »
Indictment for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substance Act
June 22, 2012
IndictmentMore »
Indictment for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substance Act
June 22, 2012
IndictmentMore »
Avondale Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Arson and Drug Violations
June 22, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — CEDRIC KELLY, age 21, a resident of Avondale, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday by U. S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to fifteen (15) years (180 months) of imprisonment for Federal Arson and Drug charges, announced U. S Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Milazzo imposed four (4) years of supervised release following KELLY’s imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision with the United States Probation and Parole office and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.More »
Jury Convicts Doyline, Louisiana Man of Dealing Firearms Without a License
June 20, 2012
Shreveport, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Raymond Pegg, 74, of Doyline, La., was convicted last night by a federal jury of dealing in firearms without a license. The repetitive purchase of firearms for the purpose of resale for livelihood and profit without a federal firearms license is a violation of federal law.More »
Fifteen Indicted on Federal Gun Charges
May 31, 2012
Gulfport, Miss. — 15 individuals have been charged in a 30–count federal firearms indictment which was unsealed on Wednesday, May 30, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Phillip Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced. The indictment also requests the forfeiture of 85 firearms.More »
North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Firearms
May 14, 2012
Gulfport, Miss. – Jose Luis Santos-Garcia, 44, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, pled guilty in federal court today to conspiring to smuggle munitions to Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans.More »
Metairie Man Indicted for Gun Violation and Failure to Register as Sex Offender
May 11, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — JOSEPH C. DELAY, age 40, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was charged yesterday in a two-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and failure to register as a sex offender, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Previously Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to the Possession of a Firearm
April 26, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — KENDRICK DAVID WILKERSON, age 24, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to a one–count charge for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before United States District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Weapons Violation
April 25, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — RICARDO YOUNG, age 28, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U. S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to 30 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm in New Orleans, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Lemelle ordered that YOUNG be placed on three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.More »
Metairie Man Arrested for Illegal Sawed Off Rifle, Sale of Counterfeit Money and Methamphetamine
March 30, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — DAVID OUTLAW, age 32, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, made his first court appearance on an indictment unsealed today charging him with selling an illegal sawed off 9 mm rifle, counterfeit federal reserve notes and a quantity of methamphetamine, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. OUTLAW was arrested yesterday on a capais issued in connection with the indictment.More »
Michael Anderson, Leader of the Josephine Dog Pound
, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for RICO and Murder Charges
March 28, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MICHAEL ANDERSON, age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced today by the U. S. District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to life imprisonment. ANDERSON pled guilty to a plea agreement which encompassed ANDERSON’S federal and state charges in March of 2011. More »
Federal Grand Jury Indictment of a Previously Convicted Felon
March 23, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — CLARENCE RAYMOND, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged today in a one–count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
A New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Drug and Gun Violations
March 22, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – GIE Z. PRESTON, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a six-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for distribution of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and the illegal possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
A New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Drug and Gun Violations
March 16, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — DAMIEN C. DODSON, age 31, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged today in a three–count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and the illegal possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Slidell Man Pleads Guilty to Theft and Gun Charges
March 16, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LOREN GORDON, JR., age 20, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court before U. S. District Court Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown on March 15, 2012 to theft from interstate commerce and possession of a stolen firearm and ammunition, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to Over 7 Years for Federal Firearm and Drug Violations
March 7, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — RODNEY HENDERSON, age 38 and a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced to 87 months of incarceration by United States District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman relating to two federal firearm violations and a drug distribution charge, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Guilty Pleas Entered for Illegal Straw Purchase
of Firearm
March 2, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — TROY DUPRE, age 29, and KATIE ANN BOUDREAUX, age 27, both residents of Chauvin, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U. S. District Court Sarah S. Vance, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Drugs and Weapons Violations
February 29, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KELLY P. HARRELL, age 45, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U. S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to 12 years imprisonment for illegally possessing a firearm, possessing both crack cocaine and heroin with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. Judge Lemelle also imposed five (5) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.More »
Man Sentenced for Assisting Drug Dealer in Gun Purchase
February 23, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ANDREW LAROSE, age 55, a resident of Thibodeaux, Louisiana, was sentenced today by the Honorable Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to twenty-one (21) months in prison and two (2) years supervised release for making a false statement related to his purchase of a Glock .40 caliber handgun in 2009 for Mark Ross. Ross, a felon convicted of drug violations in the Eastern District of Louisiana in 2003, was arrested by federal agents in December 2009 after a year long investigation into his and his associates drug trafficking activities. The gun LAROSE purchased for Ross was traced back to LAROSE through the documents required to be kept by the firearms dealers. Those documents showed that LAROSE lied when he stated on the firearms forms that he was purchasing the gun for himself.More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to Ten Years After Pleading Guilty to Being a Felon In Possession of a Firearm
February 23, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LONNIE INGRAM, 29, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to ten (10) years imprisonment and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier after pleading guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Two Fat City
Conveniece Store Operators Indicted for Arson
February 14, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — WAEL HAMMAD, age 37, and ALAA HAMMAD, age 30, both residents of Gretna, Louisiana, are the subject of an indictment issued February 2, 2012 and unsealed today. Both were charged on February 1, 2012, in a two–count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with, conspiracy to commit the December 14, 2011 arson of the building located at 3651 18th Street, Metairie, Louisiana and the arson of the building, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
22-Count Indictment Returned for RICO Violations, The Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering Act, The Federal Gun Control Act, Controlled Substances Act, and Obstruction of Justice
January 27, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MELVIN HUDSON, age 26; JERMAINE HUDSON, age 25; TRAVIS HUDSON age 29; MOSES LAWSON, age 27, MONTERIO WIGGINS, age 27, RODERICK WIGGINS, age 22, DANTE CARSON, age 21, DWIGHT CARSON, age 22, TOREY RICHARDSON, age 21, TEDRICK REYNARD, age 24, SHAYNE LEBLANC, age 40; and AKAI SULLIVAN, age 27, were charged today in a twenty-two (22) count superseding indictment for Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering Act, the Federal Gun Control Act, Controlled Substances Act, and Obstruction of Justice, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. MELVIN HUDSON was already under indictment but the other eleven (11) defendants are newly charged.More »
New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Charges Relating to Murder and Carjacking
January 27, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WALTER CONLEY, aka Ike Neezy
(23yrs old), of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a three count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with murder, carjacking, and discharging a firearm during a carjacking.More »
Member of Violent Josephine Dog Pound
Sentenced to Life in Federal Court to RICO and Murder Charges
January 11, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — DARRYL SHIELDS age 24, of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced to life imprisonment by U. S. District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman. SHIELDS pled guilty to Counts 1, 2, 6 and 12 of a Federal Superseding Indictment, which called for a term of life imprisonment.More »
Woman Sentenced to 5 Years for Her Role in Muling Heroin on Commercial Airlines
January 11, 2012
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — CASSANDRA BATISTE, age 41, a resident of Houston, Texas, was sentenced today by the Honorable Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. to sixty (60) months in prison for her role in a large scale drug trafficking conspiracy. Additionally, Judge Duvall ordered that BATISTE be placed on three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should she violate any terms of her supervised release.More »