A Kenner man has admitted guilt to a slew of federal offenses, including drug trafficking and firearm charges, in events leading to a July 2 plea. Tevin Bornes, 31, faced the music before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo for violations encompassing both the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Gun Control Act. The legal proceedings stem from a 2023 investigation that unearthed narcotics and an arsenal in Bornes' abode, according to documents published by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Law enforcement's discovery was considerable, Bornes’ apartment yielded 12.5 grams of marijuana, 47.74 grams of pure crystal methamphetamine, and various other controlled substances, which included substantial amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine. Additionally, they confiscated 4 firearms among them, a machinegun conversion device-equipped pistol and a pair of semi-automatic rifles, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported. Moving beyond mere possession, the indictment accused Bornes of harboring intent to distribute the substances and of possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The guilty plea encompasses four indictment counts. Count 1 positions Bornes against a mandatory minimum of five years, with the potential for up to forty years behind bars for the drug trafficking component. The firearms possession charge under Count 2 carries its weight, another mandatory five years at minimum, which must be served consecutively. The machinegun possession and felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm charges also spell years of potential imprisonment and hefty fines. Each count further burdens Bornes with a $100 special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson emphasized the broader context of Bornes’ plea, noting the case's alignment with Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative initiative targeting violent crime and gun violence. "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," Simpson stated on the U.S. Attorney's Office. The Department of Justice has touted the revitalized PSN's intent to incorporate community-based preventive measures, strategic enforcement, and performance metrics to mitigate crime since its 2021 strategy announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Kenner Police Department formed the investigative team spearheading this case. The prosecution is under the guidance of Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne, part of the Narcotics Unit.
