Sentencing pending for woman in firearm case

A New Orleans woman who admitted to having an unlicensed firearm in her vehicle is to face a judge for sentencing in September.

Twana Ayasha Shaquanna Greene appeared in the No. 4 Supreme Court before Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell and admitted to having a 9mm Luger calibre pistol without a valid licence on March 30, 2023.

The court heard that around 7 p.m. that date, police officers attached to the Serious Organised Crime Unit, acting on information received, went on duty along Porters Road, St James, and intercepted a motor car driven by Greene. A male adult and a female minor were also in the vehicle.

The car was searched, and a supermarket bag was found on the floor under the front passenger seat containing a laptop box. A black firearm fitted with an empty magazine was discovered wrapped in a folded shirt inside a plastic bag within the box.

When questioned, both Greene and the man denied knowledge of the weapon.

During her electronic interview, Greene said she had received the bag and its contents from a woman in Rock Dundo, St James, to deliver to someone and did not know what it contained. That woman was later interviewed and denied any involvement.

The firearm and a 9mm, 17-round-capacity magazine were examined and found to be in good working condition.

Prosecutor acting Senior State Counsel Paul Prescod accepted the plea. Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens, representing Greene, waived a pre-sentence report for the first-time offender.

The case was then adjourned until September 11 for sentencing submissions.

(JB)