Slidell Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control Act

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RODERICK WILLIAMS, age 27, of Slidell, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on October 12, 2023, to two counts of an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

According to court documents, on April 9, 2023, members of the New Orleans Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by WILLIAMS.  After stopping WILLIAMS, officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and located a Glock Model 19, 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun in the trunk of the vehicle.  This handgun was loaded, with one bullet in the chamber and carried an extended, twenty-five (25) round magazine.

On April 28, 2023, investigators conducted video surveillance of the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Werner Drive.  Officers noted an unknown black male hold a firearm as he entered a convenience store.  New Orleans Police Officers were notified, entered the store and encountered WILLIAMS.  As the officers approached, WILLIAMS moved his body away to conceal the firearm that he possessed.  As WILLIAMS did so, the officers observed the outline of a firearm in WILLIAMS’s waistband, officers detained and searched him.  Officers then located and seized a Glock Model 26, 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun from WILLIAMS.

WILLIAMS was previously convicted of felonies, which prohibited him from possessing firearms.

As to each count, WILLIAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment as well as payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 1, 2024.

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.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Rayburn of the Violent Crimes Unit.