An Orleans Parish man has pleaded guilty to violating the Federal Gun Control Act, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Elijah Martin, 27, a resident of New Orleans, entered his plea on August 21, 2025 before United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.
Martin admitted guilt to two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon under federal law. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine that may reach $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Court documents show that on December 16, 2023, an officer with the East Jefferson Parish Levee Police Department discovered Martin in possession of a Smith & Wesson Model M&P Shield 9mm pistol during a traffic stop. Later, on January 25, 2024, officers with the New Orleans Police Department again found Martin with a firearm—a Glock Model 26 9mm pistol. Because of prior felony convictions, Martin is not allowed to possess firearms.
“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,” according to the statement.
The investigation was conducted by the East Jefferson Parish Levee Police Department, New Orleans Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver from the Narcotics Unit is handling prosecution.
