NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JAMES RAIFORD, age 26, of New Orleans, was sentenced on January 7, 2020 to a term of 74 months for multiple violations of Hobbs Act Robbery, and one count of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery. Additionally, the Honorable Wendy B. Vitter, U.S. District Court Judge of the Eastern District of Louisiana, sentenced RAIFORD to serve 120 months, to run consecutive to the 74 month sentence, for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, by brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the Hobbs Act Robberies and Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery.  After the completion of his sentence, RAIFORD will be on supervised release for a period of 3 years.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department conducted an investigation into armed robberies occurring at various businesses located in New Orleans, Louisiana during April of 2018.  On April 17, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 7058 Read Boulevard, while in possession of a firearm.  On April 19, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 5741 Crowder Boulevard, while in possession of a firearm.  On April 19, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Dollar General store located at 11020 Morrison Road, while in possession of a firearm.  On April 24, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Kwik Pik gas station and convenience store located at 10040 Morrison Road, while in possession of a firearm.   The last robbery occurred on April 25, 2018, at the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 2277 St. Claude Avenue.  RAIFORD brandished firearms and threatened harm to the victims during each of the robberies.  RAIFORD obtained $3,572.00 in total as a result of the robberies.

NOPD detectives identified RAIFORD from surveillance camera footage recovered from the stores.  A search of RAIFORD’s cellular telephone showed that RAIFORD researched the robberies after he committed them.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.



U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JAMES RAIFORD, age 26, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 to five counts of violating the Hobbs Act by committing and attempting to commit robberies of local New Orleans businesses.  RAIFORD also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department conducted an investigation into armed robberies occurring at various businesses located in New Orleans, Louisiana during April of 2018.  On April 17, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 7058 Read Boulevard, while in possession of a firearm.  On April 19, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 5741 Crowder Boulevard, while in possession of a firearm.  On April 19, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Dollar General store located at 11020 Morrison Road, while in possession of a firearm.  On April 24, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Kwik Pik gas station and convenience store located at 10040 Morrison Road, while in possession of a firearm.   The last robbery occurred on April 25, 2018, at the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 2277 St. Claude Avenue.  RAIFORD was in possession of a firearm during the robbery.

NOPD detectives identified RAIFORD from surveillance camera footage recovered from the stores.  A search of RAIFORD’s cellular telephone showed that RAIFORD researched the robberies after he committed them.

The Honorable Wendy B. Vitter, United States Judge of the Eastern District of Louisiana, will sentence RAIFORD on November 12, 2019.  For violating the Hobbs Act, RAIFORD faces a maximum penalty of 20 years, a fine up to $250,000.00, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00. As it relates to possession of firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, RAIFORD faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months, to run consecutive to the sentence that the court will impose for violating the Hobbs Act, a fine up to $250,000.00., a period of supervised release up to 5 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.



U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the New Orleans Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced yesterday that JAMES RAIFORD, age 25, of New Orleans, was charged in a ten-count Indictment with Hobbs Act Robberies, an Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, and Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951(a) and 924(c)(1)(a)(i).

The federal indictment alleges that JAMES RAIFORD committed armed robberies of four businesses located in the New Orleans East and St. Claude areas while brandishing a firearm. 

If convicted of the violations, JAMES RAIFORD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of up to 3 years supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.



U. S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone.  Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.





U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.