Date: 03-14-2025

Case Style:

United States of America v. Xavion Watts

Case Number: 24-MJ-2

Judge: Lance M. Africk

Court: The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (Orleans parish)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for New Orleans

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

New Orleans, Louisiana criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Possession of a Machinegun
New Orleans Man Sentenced For Possession of a Machinegun

XAVION WATTS, age 22, formerly a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o).

On October 29, 2022, in the French Quarter when they saw a firearm in WATTS‘s waistband as he walked down Bourbon Street. As officers approached WATTS, he fled on foot but was caught and arrested shortly thereafter. During the arrest, officers recovered a Glock Model 17, nine-millimeter handgun with a fully automatic switch and extended magazine, containing 21 rounds and one in the chamber, from WATTS. The fully automatic switch converted the Glock into a fully automatic machine gun.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Narcotics Unit handled the prosecution.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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