Tim Jackson, also known as "T-Maf" and "Maf," was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses. The sentencing took place on February 25, 2026, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo. Jackson, age 37 and from New Orleans, received the sentence as part of a plea agreement after four days of trial. According to U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle, Jackson will also serve five years of supervised release and pay a $300 mandatory special assessment fee.
Jackson led the Byrd Gang—also known by several other names including M3RE and MagFischer—which operated mainly out of the former Magnolia Housing Development but had connections to other areas such as the Westbank. Members distributed heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and marijuana while regularly possessing firearms.
The case against Jackson included evidence from witness testimony, cooperating informants and defendants, police searches and seizures, wiretaps, historical arrests of gang members—including Jackson—and other sources. Prosecutors stated that Jackson was both the principal supplier of heroin for the gang and acted as a gunman. He conspired with others to conduct racketeering activities that included murders and large-scale drug distribution.
The indictment detailed several violent acts involving Byrd Gang members between 2014 and January 2017. These included multiple shootings—some resulting in fatalities—often linked to ongoing conflict with rival groups such as the Ghost Gang. Some incidents occurred in public spaces like Magazine Street’s shopping corridor.
Jackson’s co-defendants Terran Williams, Tyrone Bovia, and Javonta Doleman were found guilty at trial in spring 2025 on charges including two counts of Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering (Murder), each facing mandatory life sentences.
During investigations into the Byrd Gang’s activities, law enforcement recovered dozens of firearms with large-capacity magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from members including Jackson.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle commended the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Orleans Police Department in handling this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Sarah Dawkins prosecuted.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The program emphasizes trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts by local groups, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and tracking results. More information about PSN can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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