Rashuad Fontenberry, 33, a former resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to carjacking before United States District Judge Brandon S. Long on August 19, 2025. The charge is a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2119. Fontenberry could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and must pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Judge Long has ordered a pre-sentence report and set sentencing for December 2, 2025.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on September 5, 2022. The victim had stopped at a local gas station and parked near the fuel pumps. After exiting her vehicle to buy snacks, she was approached by Fontenberry and another male perpetrator. As they demanded her belongings, the victim noticed Fontenberry’s hand near or on a firearm. She handed over her keys and cell phone before both men entered her car. Fontenberry sat in the driver’s seat but fled on foot with his accomplice when customers came outside. Police later identified both suspects.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department strengthened PSN with a violent crime reduction strategy launched on May 26, 2021. This strategy emphasizes building trust in communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller from the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting.
