Two Orleans Parish defendants were indicted on drug and firearm counts, including possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and separate felon-in-possession charges.
What did the Department of Justice announce?
DOJ said Laquan Grant and Demond Smith were charged in a four-count indictment. The counts include possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, a firearm-in-furtherance count, and felon-in-possession charges.
What federal gun-law issue is involved?
Drug-firearm cases often combine § 922(g) and § 924(c). The former focuses on prohibited status and possession; the latter requires a nexus between the firearm and a qualifying drug-trafficking crime.
Drug-and-gun cases can combine § 922(g) possession with § 924(c) firearm-in-furtherance allegations. Those statutes have different elements and very different sentencing consequences.
Why this case matters for federal gun-charge research
This eastern district of louisiana matter is a current example of how federal prosecutors turn specific possession, transfer, trafficking, weapon-classification, or status allegations into firearm counts. For SEO shorthand, people often search “felony gun charge,” “federal gun charge,” or “gun indictment,” but the actual statute and procedural posture determine the legal exposure.
Case status and presumption of innocence
An indictment is a formal accusation returned by a grand jury. It is not evidence of guilt, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until guilt is established in court.
Related Gun Felony research
- Federal prohibited-person law: 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)
- Federal firearm penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 924
- Federal firearm sentencing guide
- Felony gun charge guide
- 50-state gun-law directory
How to read a DOJ firearm press release
Press releases are useful starting points but are not substitutes for the indictment, complaint, plea agreement, verdict form, judgment, or appellate record. Gun Felony summarizes the government announcement in original language and links to the official source so readers can verify the current docket posture.