Troy Locke, a 34-year-old resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on January 15, 2024, for federal drug and firearms violations. The sentencing by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter followed Locke's guilty plea to nine different counts related to these offenses. This information was announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Court records indicate that undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted several controlled purchases of crack cocaine and firearms from Locke in July and August 2023. During these transactions, Locke was found with a gun in his lap and sold an AR-style rifle to an undercover agent for $1,000. A search warrant executed at Locke’s residence uncovered two additional firearms, including an assault rifle with an extended magazine. Due to prior felony convictions, Locke was prohibited from possessing firearms. Over the course of these operations, he sold over 120 grams of crack cocaine and possessed three illegal firearms.

Judge Vitter sentenced Locke to a total of 120 months in prison. This includes serving 60 months concurrently for Counts 1 through 4 and Counts 6 through 9, with an additional consecutive 60 months for Count 5. A five-year term of supervised release was also imposed along with a $900 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while making neighborhoods safer. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy under PSN focused on building trust within communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF with prosecution handled by United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.