NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evansannounced thatASHONTI HALL, 30,of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2021 to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.
In October 2019,HALLwas indicted for possessing heroin, cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, and marijuana with the intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Court documents show that as part of his plea,HALLadmitted that he fled from New Orleans Police Department Officers who were investigatingHALLfor a shooting that occurred the previous day. The police caughtHALLand found him in possession of a backpack that contained several different types of drugs, scales, cash, and a loaded gun.
Sentencing is set for August 4, 2021 before District Judge Vance.HALLfaces a sentence of at least five years imprisonment up to life, a $250,000 fine, five years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.