New Orleans Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Possession

Haven Patterson received 48 months in prison for owning guns as a convicted felon

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:31am

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Haven Patterson, a 43-year-old man from New Orleans, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Patterson was found with a loaded .40 caliber and .380 caliber semi-automatic handguns in February 2025, which is a violation of federal law for someone with his criminal history.

Why it matters

This case is part of the Department of Justice's Operation Take Back America, which aims to crack down on illegal firearms possession, organized crime, and violent crime. Prosecuting felons who illegally own guns is a key part of efforts to reduce gun violence in communities.

The details

On February 27, 2025, police found Patterson in possession of the two loaded handguns, which he was prohibited from owning as a convicted felon. In addition to the 48-month prison sentence, Patterson will also serve 3 years of supervised release.

  • On February 27, 2025, Patterson was found with the illegal firearms.

The players

Haven Patterson

A 43-year-old man from New Orleans who was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

Wendy B. Vitter

The U.S. District Judge who sentenced Patterson to 48 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.

Chandra Menon

The Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case against Patterson.

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The takeaway

This sentencing is part of the Department of Justice's broader efforts to crack down on illegal gun possession and violent crime, with a focus on prosecuting convicted felons who unlawfully own firearms.