Rasheed Smith, a 34-year-old resident of Marrero, Louisiana, has been sentenced to seventy months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. This decision was made by United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion on May 22, 2025. Smith also faces a $100 mandatory special assessment fee after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm, violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
Court documents reveal that in January 2023, deputies from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office encountered Smith during a routine traffic stop. Smith attempted to flee by abandoning his vehicle but was apprehended after a brief struggle. A search of the vehicle uncovered a firearm in the driver’s side door compartment. Due to previous felony convictions, Smith is prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021. This strategy focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy from the Violent Crimes Unit led the prosecution.
