NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DARNELL MELTON, a 27-year-old individual, and SAUL REED, aged 32, both residing in New Orleans, Louisiana, have pleaded guilty on December 19, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to charges mentioned in a 15-count second superseding indictment.

The charges against MELTON and REED include the possession of a firearm by a felon, which is a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Additionally, REED has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and tapentadol, which is in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D).

Court documents reveal that MELTON has prior felony convictions in Louisiana for simple robbery, simple burglary, and attempted possession of a firearm by a felon. In March of 2023, MELTON resided in a house located in New Orleans East, which the FBI identified as the residence of members belonging to a gang called the “10x”, referring to the St. Thomas Housing Development in the 10^th Ward.

On March 28, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) executed a search warrant at the mentioned residence. When law enforcement officers announced their presence to carry out the search, the occupants of the house refused to exit and continuously disregarded subsequent commands to come outside. Meanwhile, multiple gunshots were fired nearby while the officers and agents were outside. Shortly after the gunshots, a false 911 call was made claiming that a five-year-old child had been shot in the next block. Surprisingly, the call originated from inside the searched residence. More than an hour later, MELTON, REED, and two juveniles finally emerged from the house. During the search, the FBI discovered two AR-15 pistols and three handguns inside the residence. Notably, one of the handguns belonged to MELTON. Furthermore, a backpack belonging to REED was also found, containing tapentadol, marijuana, a digital scale, latex gloves, and a black ski mask.

Two months later, REED was pulled over by the Louisiana State Police, who found another backpack in his car containing marijuana and a loaded Sig Sauer handgun. As a result of his previous felony convictions for simple burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm, REED is prohibited from possessing a gun.

If convicted for the possession of a firearm by a felon, both MELTON and REED could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. Additionally, for his possession with intent to distribute controlled substances charge, REED could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a minimum of three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. The program focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations to prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The investigation of this case involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit is handling the prosecution.