Jury Convicts Metairie Man of Federal Gun and Drug Charges and Lying to a Federal Agent
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On June 27, 2023, DAMION WILSON, age 23, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was found guilty by a federal jury of four counts in a six count indictment. Specifically, WILSON was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, maintaining a drug involved premises, and lying to a federal agent. He was acquitted of two other related counts.
His sentencing is set for October 18, 2023.
As to Count 3 of the indictment, for which he was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D), he faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of up to two years.
As to Count 4, for which he was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of life in prison. Any sentence imposed in connection with this count must be served consecutively. He also faces payment of a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of up to five years.
As to Count 5, for which he was convicted of maintaining a drug involved premises, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 856, he faces up to twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $250,00.00, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
As to Count 6, for which he was convicted of lying to a federal agent, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, he faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to one year of supervised release. As to each count of conviction, he also faces payment of a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.
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 Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (A.T.F.), the New Orleans Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshal’s Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the General Crimes Unit and Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. of the Narcotics Unit.
