Department of Justice

NEW ORLEANS – Irvin J. Lefere, Jr., age 37, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted on September 21, 2023 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. 

According to the indictment it is alleged that, on or about July 13, 2022, Lefere, knowing that he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and assorted rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. 

For this offense, he faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 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 of Justice 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.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

Updated September 25, 2023

###