Rasheed Smith, a 34-year-old resident of Marrero, Louisiana, has been sentenced to seventy months in prison. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion on May 22, 2025. Smith's sentence also includes three years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. This follows his guilty plea to illegal possession of a firearm, violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
Court documents indicate that the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies encountered Smith during a routine traffic stop in January 2023. Smith attempted to flee by abandoning the vehicle but was apprehended after a brief struggle. A search of the vehicle revealed a firearm in the driver's side door compartment. Due to prior felony convictions, Smith is prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aiming to reduce violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement at all levels with communities they serve. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, strengthening PSN with core principles such as fostering trust and legitimacy within communities, supporting community-based organizations for violence prevention, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy from the Violent Crimes Unit led the prosecution.
