A New Orleans man, previously convicted of felonies, has been sentenced to a three-year term for illegal possession of firearms, according to a press release by the Department of Justice. Avery Julien, who is 29, will also face three years of supervised release following his imprisonment and is required to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long handed down the sentence on Wednesday. Court records indicate that during a search of Julien's residence on September 14, 2022, law enforcement found two .40 caliber semi-automatic pistols, and subsequent testing revealed Julien's DNA on both firearms. The initial search was conducted by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies and New Orleans Police Department officers after allegations of Julien possibly being involved in a carjacking in Jefferson Parish, as reported by the Department of Justice. These findings led to Julien pleading guilty to the charges against him on October 29, 2024. Federal law is strict regarding convicted felons' ability to justly possess firearms, a line Julien crossed with his prior convictions in 2018.
The case fell under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed to bring together law enforcement at all levels and the communities they serve. The goal is a simple one: to reduce violent crime and gun violence, ensuring safer communities. The PSN strategy was strengthened on May 26, 2021, focusing on key areas such as building trust within communities, supporting organizations working on violence prevention, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating the outcomes of these efforts.
Investigation of this case involved several forces, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit. Thanks to these coordinated efforts, Julien will now face repercussions for his actions and, hopefully, aid to prevent future incidents.
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