A New Orleans man has pleaded guilty to violating federal gun laws, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. William Robinson, 40, entered his plea on August 26, 2025, before United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.
Court records indicate that Robinson admitted guilt to Count Two of a seven-count superseding indictment. This count charged him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, in violation of federal law. The New Orleans Police Department identified Robinson and his co-defendant as suspects in a shooting that took place in the French Quarter in January 2022. Video surveillance captured the incident, and investigators determined that Robinson was the shooter, seen wearing an LA Dodgers World Series jacket at the time.
Police recovered several nine-millimeter shell casings at the scene. In February 2022, officers executed a search warrant at a residence linked to Robinson and found the jacket matching the one seen in surveillance footage from the shooting. Official records confirmed that Robinson was already a convicted felon when he possessed and fired the ammunition.
Judge Brown scheduled sentencing for December 4, 2025. Robinson faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The Department of Justice expanded its violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021 by focusing on building community trust, supporting local organizations working on violence prevention initiatives, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and tracking results through measurable outcomes.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department for their efforts in this investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Maurice Landrieu prosecuted the case.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department.”
“It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Privitera, Chief of the Violent Crime Unit, and Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit.”
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