NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RICKY WILSON, age 29, a resident of Jefferson, Louisiana, was charged today in a seven-count superseding indictment for arson and violations of the National Firearms Act, Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Drug Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
WILSON is charged in Count One with arson, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i)(1); in Count Two with possession of destructive devices, identified as incendiary devices known as Molotov cocktails, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d); in Counts Three and Five with Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D); and, in Counts Four and Six with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).
As to Count One, WILSON faces a term imprisonment of not less than 5 years up to 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release; as to Count Two, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, up to a $10,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release; as to each of Counts Three and Five, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, up to a $250,000 fine and at least 2 years of supervised release; as to each of Counts Four and Six, he faces a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of 5 years up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine and up to 3 years of supervised release; and, as to Count Seven, he faces a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Violent Crimes Unit is assigned the prosecution.
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