Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Xavion Watts, a 22-year-old former resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to 120 months in prison by United States District Judge Lance M. Africk on March 12, 2025. Watts had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun, violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o). Following his imprisonment, Judge Africk ordered Watts to be placed on supervised release for three years and pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
The case stems from an incident on October 29, 2022, when New Orleans Police Department officers observed a firearm in Watts's waistband while he walked down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. As officers approached him, Watts fled but was soon apprehended. During the arrest, officers recovered a Glock Model 17 nine-millimeter handgun equipped with a fully automatic switch and extended magazine containing 21 rounds and one in the chamber. The switch converted the Glock into a fully automatic machine gun.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy under PSN focusing on fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
Acting United States Attorney Simpson commended the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Narcotics Unit handled the prosecution.
