United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana

06/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2025 13:58

New Orleans Man Guilty of Being Felon in Possession of Firearms Stemming from New Orleans East Shooting

Press Release

New Orleans Man Guilty of Being Felon in Possession of Firearms Stemming from New Orleans East Shooting

Thursday, June 12, 2025
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For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced today that DANTRELL MCZEAL ("MCZEAL"), age 34, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on May 27, 2025 to being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). MCZEAL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release of up to 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

The Honorable District Judge Darrel James Papillion will sentence MCZEAL on September 9, 2025.

According to court documents, in July 2022, MCZEAL and an unknown individual, were involved in a shootout with each other in the parking lot of a gas station located on the corner of Downman Road and Morrison Road in New Orleans. MCZEAL was shot in the leg during the gunfire exchange and the unknown individual fled in his vehicle. MCZEAL also fled, but lost control of his vehicle, and struck a light pole. MCZEAL was observed limping away from his vehicle while in possession of a firearm.

New Orleans Police Department officers later recovered a Glock Model 30GEN4, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol from inside MCZEAL's vehicle. While on the scene, officers also observed a trail of blood outside of the vehicle leading to a nearby residence. Later, officers received a call from a nearby resident stating that an unknown male, later identified as MCZEAL, had entered her residence. The resident reported that MCZEAL had a firearm, later determined to be a Palmetto State Armory Model PA-15, .223 REM/5.56 x 45 milli-meter semi-automatic rifle. Federal law prohibits convicted felons, such as MCZEAL , from possessing firearms.

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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.

Contact

Shane M. Jones

Public Information Officer

United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

United States Department of Justice

Updated June 12, 2025
Topic
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Components
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
USAO - Louisiana, Eastern
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