NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that KENDALL BARNES, age 22, of Chalmette, was charged in a five-count indictment on Sept. 27, 2018 by a federal grand jury.
The Indictment charges BARNES, a convicted felon, with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of these charges, BARNES faces a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
The Indictment charges BARNES with possession with intent to distribute heroin. If convicted of this count, BARNES faces a term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release.
The Indictment also charges that BARNES was in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of this count, BARNES faces a term of imprisonment of 5 years to life, a fine of $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release.
Additionally, the Indictment charges BARNES with obstruction of justice. If convicted of this count, BARNES could face up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated than an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Violent Crimes Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
