Byrd Gang Leader Pleads Guilty Mid-Trial to Rico Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, and Conspiracy to Possess Firearms

NEW ORLEANS - Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson announced that TIM JACKSON("JACKSON"), a/k/a T-Maf," "Maf," of New Orleans, pled guilty last week to RICO conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and firearms conspiracy. after three days of jury trial before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.

JACKSON was a leader of the Byrd Gang, also known as M3RE, MagFischer, 315 and Piff Gang, which operated primarily out of the former Magnolia Housing Development in New Orleans. Its members distributed heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine and marijuana daily, while possessing multiple firearms. JACKSON participated in numerous drug trafficking activities and violent crimes for the Byrd Gang.

Members of the enterprise, including JACKSON, participated in acts of violence, to include, but not limited to the July 18, 2016, murder of Kent Franklin; the September 3, 2016, murder of Javon Johnigan; the October 29, 2016, shooting of a rival; the November 25, 2016, shooting of a Ghost Gang member; the December 20, 2016, shooting of a rival; the December 30, 2016, shooting of a Ghost Gang member; the January 31, 2017, double murder of Ghost Gang members Wynston Jackson and Lawrence Williams, IV; the May 3, 2017, shooting at a victim; and, the August 25, 2017, shooting of another Ghost Gang member.

The government's evidence regarding the existence and nature of this criminal enterprise came from the testimony of witnesses and cooperating informants, cooperating defendants, police searches and seizures, Title III wiretaps, historical arrests of members of the enterprise, including of JACKSON, among other things. Collectively, the evidence showed that JACKSON, was a leader of the Byrd Gang and the principal supplier of heroin for the enterprise. He also distributed controlled substances and acted as a gunman for the enterprise. JACKSONunlawfully and knowingly conspired with other members of the Byrd Gang to participate in the affairs of the enterprise through racketeering activities such as murders, in violation of Title 14, Louisiana Revised Statutes, Sections 24 (Principals), 26 (Criminal Conspiracy), 27 (Attempt) and 30.1 (Second Degree Murder); as well as heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and marijuana trafficking, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846.

As part of the conspiracy JACKSON and his co-defendants agreed that each would commit at least two acts of racketeering as Byrd gang members. JACKSON himself participated in numerous such acts. Specifically, between 2014 and January 2017, when JACKSON was arrested on federal charges for which he is still serving a sentence, JACKSON regularly purchased large quantities of heroin from a supplier. During this period, JACKSON was the leader of the Byrd Gang and its most prolific drug dealer.

During the trial, the evidence showed a slew of back-and-forth retaliatory shootings between the Byrd Gang and the Ghost Gang, much of which was fueled by social media posts and rap music and videos. Additionally, dozens of firearms, most with large-capacity magazines, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition, were recovered from Byrd Gang members, including from JACKSON.

JACKSON agreed to accept a 30-year sentence. Sentencing will be held before Judge Milazzo on January 14, 2026.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Sarah Dawkins are in charge of the prosecution.

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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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