Nolan Long, a 33-year-old resident of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was entered on June 17, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Darryl J. Papillion. This announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Court documents reveal that on January 10, 2023, detectives from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) observed Long among a group of individuals who appeared to be carrying concealed firearms. When marked NOPD units arrived for investigation, Long fled and discarded a loaded Walther P22 pistol before being apprehended. Due to previous felony convictions for simple robbery and possession of a firearm as a felon, Long is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Long faces potential penalties including up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, fines up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced strategy for PSN focusing on community trust and legitimacy, supporting violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and result measurement.
The investigation was conducted by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit is prosecuting the case.
