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 – ROMALIS WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 33, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced on October 1, 2026 by United States District Judge Brandon S. Long after being found guilty by a jury of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) and being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Judge Long sentenced WILLIAMS to 137 months in federal prison, six years of supervised release, and ordered WILLIAMS to pay a $200.00 mandatory special assessment fee.
On March 25, 2024, NOPD officers, while conducting routine surveillance observed WILLIAMS in the 8700 block of Green Street with a bulge on the right front side of his waistband. WILLIAMS proceeded to get onto a bicycle and ride down Green Street and, while doing so, kept adjusting an object in his waistband area. WILLIAMS then shoved his right hand deep into his pants as if he were attempting to hide an object. Officers believed WILLIAMS may have been in possession of a firearm concealed in his waistband and commanded WILLIAMS to stop his bicycle. WILLIAMS disregarded the command, dropped the bicycle, and ran from the officers. Officers chased WILLIAMS into the 1700 block of Joliet Street. WILLIAMS jumped several fences before being detained.
During the search of WILLIAMS’ person, a distributable amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine were found in a clear plastic bag inside WILLIAMS’ pants pocket. A stolen Springfield Armory Model XDM, 40 caliber pistol, was recovered from WILLIAMS’ left pant leg. WILLIAMS, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed of the Violent Crime Unit and Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Kippers of the General Crime Unit.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
