A New Orleans man has been handed a 64-month prison sentence for federal firearm violations in a case that underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to clamp down on gun-related crime in the city. Kenneth Tate, 43, was sentenced last week for breaching the Federal Gun Control Act, according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Details about Tate's activities emerged during court proceedings, with records indicating that he was seen by law enforcement involved in a drug deal while armed with a rifle on Tara Lane in New Orleans East. When officers attempted to arrest Tate, he initially fled to an apartment before surrendering. A subsequent search uncovered an American Tactical semi-automatic rifle and a Ruger LCP pistol. Given his past felony convictions, Tate's possession of these firearms was illegal, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe determined the sentence, which includes three years of supervised release following Tate's time in prison and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported. The sentencing is part of a broader initiative designed to curb violent crime under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
The PSN program brings together various levels of law enforcement and community organizations to create safer neighborhoods by reducing violent crime and gun violence. Since its strategic update in 2021, the Department of Justice has been working on strengthening PSN with a focus on building trust within communities, supporting groups that work on violence prevention, enforcing strategic priorities, and monitoring the effectiveness of these efforts.
The joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department led to Tate's prosecution, handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, who also serves as Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.
