New Orleans Man Guilty of Possessing Machine Gun and Being Felon in Possession of a Firearm (DOJ)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on September 10, 2025, ROY HILTON ("HILTON"), age 26, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to a two-count indictment charging him in Count 1 with possession of a machine gun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2), and in Count 2 with felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2).

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan will sentence HILTON on January 15, 2026.

According to court documents, on August 20, 2024, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), while conducting surveillance in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, observed HILTON meeting with other possible gang associates who were in possession of firearms. HILTON himself possessed two firearms with extended magazines tucked into his front waistband. Based on their observations of seeing multiple individuals possessing firearms, when NOPD officers in their vehicles approached them, HILTON ran, chased by police, and ditched a firearm that he previously held. HILTON was apprehended. Officers later located HILTON's firearm that contained a machine gun conversion device, commonly known as a "Glock switch." This device converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machine gun.

Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms. HILTON is a convicted felon, having previously been convicted in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court of possession of cocaine.

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 and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit/Strike Force Unit.

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