Kyle Conerly, a 32-year-old resident of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was entered on June 18, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance. This charge falls under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
Court documents reveal that on November 20, 2023, officers from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) were conducting surveillance in the Hollygrove neighborhood. During this operation, Conerly attempted to evade arrest by running to a backyard and throwing a loaded handgun over a fence. His previous convictions for attempted second-degree murder and manslaughter in Orleans Parish prohibit him from possessing firearms.
Conerly could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine reaching $250,000, three years of supervised release, and is required to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021. This strategy focuses on building community trust and legitimacy, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating results.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit is leading the prosecution.
