Westbank Gunman Pleads Guilty To Two Attempted Robberies in Orleans Parish and One Robbery in Jefferson Parish

NEW ORLEANS –U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that DARRYL HENRY, age 27, pleaded guilty Wednesday, April 3, 2019 to committing three Hobbs Act Robberies and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

On August 24, 2018, HENRY entered the Walmart Supercenter at 4001 Behrman Place in Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana, and passed the teller a demand note and displayed a firearm.  The teller was unable to open the safe, and HENRY left the business empty-handed.   HENRY then went to the Winn-Dixie Supermarket at 3008 Holiday Drive, in Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana, and unsuccessfully attempted to rob a clerk at that location.  HENRY then drove to the Walmart Neighborhood Market located 3265 Manhattan Boulevard, Harvey, Louisiana, and passed a demand note to a cashier while holding a gun in his right hand.  HENRY ultimately fled the store with $6,992.00 in United States currency.

HENRY will be sentenced by the Honorable Lance M. Africk on July 10, 2019.  He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison as to the three robberies and minimum of seven years in prison as to the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the diligent work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Myles Ranier is handling the prosecution.

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, then 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 was launched in 2001.