FBI New Orleans Division

The Violent Crime Major Offenders Program in the New Orleans Division has a serious problem in dealing with the number of violent drug gangs committing violent acts to protect their drug operations. This problem was demonstrated by the high homicide rate experienced in the State of Louisiana in which there were 762 murders and non-negligent manslaughter cases reported in 1996.

To address this crime problem, in July, 1997, the FBI formed a New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGTF). This Task Force consists of one FBI Supervisory Special Agent, eight FBI Agents, two New Orleans Police Department Officers, one Louisiana State Police Trooper, one United States Marshal, one Immigration and Naturalization Service Special Agent, one United States Customs Service Special Agent, and one Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent.

The primary mission of the NOGTF is to investigate all violations of federal law as they relate to violent crimes involving gangs, and to prosecute those violations both in Federal and State Courts, utilizing that venue which best addresses the NOGTF subject(s). The investigative efforts will be dedicated to attempting to disseminate whole gang organizations through the use of sophisticated investigative techniques, the application of continuing criminal enterprise styled prosecutions, and the enforcement of forfeiture/seizure proceedings.

Gang cases are also investigated in other cities in Louisiana as violent gang problems are identified.

As part of the Violent Crimes Program, the FBI is responsible for violent crimes which include bank robberies, kidnapings, crimes against children, fugitives, interstate theft, and government reservation crimes. Bank robberies are the second highest priority in the Violent Crime Program. In 1996, there were 105 bank robberies in the State of Louisiana and in 1997 there were 95 robberies. The Violent Crimes Program also addresses the theft of motor vehicles. In 1996, there were 27,450 motor vehicles stolen in Louisiana. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that twenty percent of stolen vehicles which were recovered indicate commercial thefts, which the FBI addresses under the Federal Statute of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicle (ITSMV).

Contact 504-816-3000 or by fax 504-816-3306 with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: June 6, 2005