New Orleans Man Convicted for Possessing Over 1,200 Grams of Crack and 3 Loaded Guns

NEW ORLEANS - STEVE BANKS ("BANKS"), age 50, of New Orleans, pled guilty on April 22, 2026 before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to court documents, law enforcement searched BANKS's apartment on October 21, 2024, and seized over 1,200 grams of crack cocaine, items used to manufacture and weigh crack cocaine, over $12,000 in cash, 3 loaded guns, ammunition, and identifying information for BANKS. The guns included: (1) Zastava Model ZPAP85, 5.56 millimeter semi-automatic rifle, fully loaded with live ammunition in a 30 round magazine, (2) a stolen Glock Model 22, 40 millimeter, semi-automatic pistol, with a loaded extended magazine, and (3) Glock Model 17Gen5, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, loaded with a standard magazine.

BANKS pled guilty to Counts 1, 2, and 3 of the Indictment. Count 1 charged BANKS with possession, with intent to distribute, cocaine base, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). Count 2 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Count 3 charged him with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

For Count 1, BANKS faces at least 10 years up to life years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years up to life of supervised release. For Count 2, he faces up to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. For Count 3, he faces a minimum of 5 years in prison, up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed on the defendant, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 5 years of supervised release. As to each count, he also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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