Nolan Long, a 33-year-old resident of New Orleans, has entered a guilty plea for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was made on June 17, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Darryl J. Papillion. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced the development.
Court documents reveal that on January 10, 2023, detectives from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) noticed Long among a group suspected of carrying concealed firearms. When NOPD units arrived to investigate, Long attempted to flee and discarded a loaded Walther P22 pistol before being apprehended. Due to previous felony convictions for simple robbery and firearm possession as a felon, Long is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Long could face up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000 along with a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and supporting preventive community-based organizations. The program also focuses on strategic enforcement priorities and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit is prosecuting the case.
