U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced WALTER PORTER, a/k/a “Moonie," a/k/a “Urkel," age 40, of New Orleans, was sentenced today for his participation in the November 2010 murder of Christopher “Tiger" Smith.
On March 9, 2016, a federal jury found PORTER guilty as charged for use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, causing death through the use of a firearm, and conspiracy to possess firearms.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced PORTER to life imprisonment on Count 2 (conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire), and on Count 3 (causing death through the use of a firearm), while sentencing him to 240 months, the statutory maximum, on Count 4 (conspiracy use and carry firearms). All sentences were run concurrently to each other. Today’s sentence will also run concurrently with PORTER’s life sentence imposed on November 9, 2016, for his involvement as a HANKTON gang associate.
According to court documents, on Nov. 21, 2010, at 8:10 pm, Christopher Smith was found by Jefferson Parish Sheriff (“JPSO") deputies lying in the doorway of his Gretna apartment, after having been shot at least twenty times. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. JPSO’s investigation ultimately revealed that NEMESSIS BATES paid co-defendants, PORTER and AARON SMITH, a/k/a “Beadie," a/k/a “Beedie," $20,000 to murder Christopher Smith. AARON SMITH previously pled guilty and awaits sentencing. BATES was sentenced to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Liz Privitera and Greg Kennedy were in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
