Federal Grand Jury Indicts New Orleans Man for Kidnapping and Federal Gun Offense
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 5, 2023 MERVIN AMACKER, Jr., age 41, was charged in a two-count indictment for kidnapping and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In count 1, AMACKER is charged with kidnapping, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a). If convicted of Count 1, AMACKER faces a maximum term of life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to five years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
In count 2, AMACKER is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). If convicted of Count 2, AMACKER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
