Kody Severin, a 28-year-old resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2025, to all charges in an eight-count third superseding indictment. The plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe.
Severin admitted guilt to several federal offenses under the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act, as well as attempted obstruction of justice. The charges include possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; being a felon in possession of firearms; possession of machine guns; possession of unregistered firearms; attempt to obstruct justice; and receiving explosive materials.
According to court documents, law enforcement received consent to search an apartment on Milan Street on December 12, 2022. Inside the apartment, officers found multiple firearms—including pistols equipped with devices that convert them into fully automatic weapons—privately made firearms or "ghost guns," over one hundred machine gun conversion devices in various stages of completion (such as drop-in auto sears and Glock switches), marijuana packaged in clear plastic bags totaling over 400 grams, completed and incomplete silencers, an industrial milling machine covered in metal shavings, two explosive devices, ammunition of various calibers, extended magazines, Severin’s personal items including mail and clothing, and several cellphones.
The day after the search, law enforcement encountered Severin at the same apartment. Officers saw him throw a revolver from the second-floor balcony before he surrendered without incident. Severin was booked on outstanding warrants from the New Orleans Police Department and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities confirmed that Severin had previously been convicted for a felony offense punishable by more than one year in prison: he pled guilty to methamphetamine possession on February 25, 2019.
If convicted on all counts at sentencing, Severin faces significant penalties: up to five years imprisonment for drug distribution; a minimum consecutive sentence of five years up to life for possessing firearms during drug trafficking; up to fifteen years each for two counts related to being a felon in possession of firearms; ten years each for possessing machine guns and unregistered firearms; twenty years for attempted obstruction of justice; and ten years for receiving explosive materials. Each count also carries supervised release terms and fines ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department for their investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans (General Crimes Unit) and Lynn E. Schiffman (Narcotics Unit) are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates law enforcement efforts at all levels with community organizations to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. In May 2021, the Department implemented an updated strategy focusing on trust-building within communities, supporting prevention programs led by local organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions against violent offenders, and measuring outcomes.
