NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DAWAYNE BOUTAIN, age 29, a resident of Violet, La. pleaded guilty on March 22, 2023 before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court records, BOUTAIN arrived at an apartment in Violet as St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Officers were about to execute a search warrant. BOUTAIN was subsequently found in possession of a Ruger magazine with 10 live rounds. He had previously been convicted of four separate felonies and was federally prohibited from possessing guns or ammunition.
Judge Africk set sentencing for July 12, 2023. BOUTAIN faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. He also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
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.
This case was investigated by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller of the Violent Crimes Unit.
