New Orleans Man Charged in Federal Court for Hobbs Act Robberies, Possession, and Brandishing of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JARRELL FOX, (“FOX”) age 29, of New Orleans, was charged on September 18, 2020 in an eight-count Indictment with four Hobbs Act Robberies, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a), three counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(a)(ii), and one count of Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(a)(i).
The federal indictment alleges that FOX committed the armed robberies of four businesses located in the New Orleans East and Mid-City areas of New Orleans while either brandishing or possessing a firearm.
If convicted of the Hobbs Act Robbery violations, FOX faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of up to 3 years supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment (”MSA”) of $100.00. If convicted of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, FOX faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of 7 years to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to 5 years supervised release, and a $100 MSA. If convicted of Possessing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, FOX faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of 5 years to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to 5 years supervised release, and a $100 MSA. Any sentence imposed regarding the firearm offenses will run consecutive to the sentence imposed for the violation of the Hobbs Act Robbery offenses.
U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/project-guardian.
This case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
