New Orleans Man Charged in Federal Firearm Indictment

Gerald Franklin faces a two-count indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to federal prosecutors.

3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 25, 2026, 12:32 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 31, 2026, 10:52 p.m. ET

Gerald Franklin, 35, of New Orleans, was in a two-count indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle on August 25, 2026. The indictment was returned in the Eastern District of Louisiana, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. According to the indictment, Franklin possessed a firearm on or about March 30 and April 5, 2026, despite having prior felony convictions. The charge stems from an arrest in connection with a French Quarter shooting on March 30, 2026. Franklin faces up to fifteen years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed. The charges are allegations, and Franklin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case remains pending, and no trial date has been set.

Earlier reports

Aug 26, 2026, 6:23 a.m. ET
New Orleans Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
On August 21, 2026, Gerald Franklin, 35, from New Orleans, was charged in a two-count indictment 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 David I. Courcelle. According to the indictment, on or about March 30, 2026, and April 5, 2026, in the Eastern District of Louisiana, Franklin, knowing that he had been previously convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, was found in possession of a firearm after being arrested in connection with a French Quarter shooting on March 30, 2026. Franklin faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.
Aug 25, 2026, 12:32 p.m. ETFirst report
New Orleans Man Indicted on Federal Firearm Charges
On August 25, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced that Gerald Franklin, 35, of New Orleans, had been charged in a two-count indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment, filed on August 21, 2026, alleges that on or about March 30, 2026, and April 5, 2026, in the Eastern District of Louisiana, Franklin, knowing he had prior convictions punishable by more than one year in prison, was found in possession of a firearm after being arrested in connection with a French Quarter shooting on March 30, 2026.
Franklin faces up to fifteen years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. As with all criminal charges, Franklin is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice's initiative to combat violent crime.
This matter is at the charging stage and has not been resolved; the charges are allegations and Franklin has not been convicted.

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Version 125 Aug 2026, 16:32current
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