News

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOY JOSEPH BANERJEE (“BANERJEE”), age 57, of New Orleans, pled guilty on July 18, 2024 to possession of prepubescent child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(b).  BANERJEE faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense, under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571.  In addition, BANERJEE faces a term of supervised

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that RACQUEL PICHON (“PICHON”), age 40, formerly of Slidell, Louisiana, plead guilty on July 15, 2024 to false statements and theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1001 and 641.  If convicted, PICHON faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571.  In addition, PICHON faces a term of

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SHAMPAIN POOLE (“POOLE”), age 23, of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey on July 15, 2024, to 147 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, along with a mandatory $300 special assessment fee, after previously being found guilty by a  jury of carjacking, brandishing a weapon during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –TEDDY NATHAN (“NATHAN”), age 25, and a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on July 16, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WADE BATISTE (“BATISTE”), age 43, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on July 16, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on July 17, 2024, GREGORY WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 31, a resident of Orleans Parish, was sentenced on July 17, 2024by U.S. District  Judge Lance M. Africk to 80 months of imprisonment, 5 years of  supervised release, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to four counts of a seven-count superseding indictment. 

NEW ORLEANS, LA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MALI WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 26, of Violet, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 15, 2024 , before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). 

According to court documents, on October 12, 2023, New Orleans Police Officers saw WILLIAMS selling marijuana in the Central Business District of New Orleans.  While attempting to flee from police, WILLIAMS dropped his backpack.  Upon searching

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MACEO ROBERTS (“ROBERTS”), age 25, from Memphis, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Susie Morgan to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and others by force, fraud, and coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1594(c), 1591(a)(1), 1591(a)(2), 1591(b)(1), and 1591(b)(2). 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAVID RAYFORD (“RAYFORD”), age 40, of Kenner, La., pled guilty on July 9, 2024, to  Mail Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709.  His sentencing is set for October 8, 2024.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on July 11, 2024, JAMILE ROBINSON (“ROBINSON”), age 32, a resident of St. Tammany Parish, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to 92 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee on two-counts of the indictment pending against him.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that NIPUN DESAI (“DESAI”), formerly of Hammond, La., but now a California resident, age 55, pleaded guilty on July 10, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).