Harvey Man Sentenced For Firearms Offense

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS, LA – MIGUEL KEELEN (“KEELEN”), age 36, of Harvey, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon on January 30, 2025 to 75 months imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, KEELEN possessed a firearm on December 11, 2023, while at a Valero Gas Station in New Orleans.  Specifically, KEELEN displayed and drew a pistol from his waistband before then concealing the pistol and fleeing from police.  KEELEN was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions. 

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 James Ollinger of the Violent Crimes Unit.