A New Orleans resident, Gilbert Darby, age 48, has been indicted on several federal charges following an incident involving a United States Postal Service carrier. The indictment was issued on January 30, 2026, and announced by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to the indictment, Darby allegedly assaulted a postal carrier while the carrier was performing official duties on January 12, 2026. During the assault, Darby is accused of discharging a deadly weapon.
Darby faces three separate charges: assaulting a federal officer in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 111(a)(1) and (b); discharging a firearm during a crime of violence under Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(iii); and being a felon in possession of ammunition as outlined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).
If convicted on the assault charge, Darby could face up to twenty years in prison, fines up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. For discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, he could receive a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment with the possibility of life imprisonment, along with similar fines and supervised release terms. The felon in possession charge carries potential penalties of up to fifteen years imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle stated: "The indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021. This strategy focuses on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence before it occurs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
Courcelle acknowledged the efforts of the United States Postal Inspectors and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Hubbell IV from the Violent Crime Unit is prosecuting the case.
