http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09.html#077380First federal arrest
Tuesday, 2 p.m.
By Gwen Filosa
Staff writer
Federal agents arrested a young Algiers man this morning on charges of shooting at a military helicopter designed for rescue missions, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said, announcing the first federal case against the lawlessness that preyed on New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Wendell L. Bailey, 20, was arrested outside the building where he had earlier taken aim with a .22-caliber pistol and fired at the helicopter, which was flying in the darkness, federal prosecutors said. Bailey has been charged with the federal crime of trying to "damage and destroy any aircraft," which carries up to 20 years in prison upon conviction, and with being a felon in possession of a handgun, which carries up to 10 years.
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A four-member ATF scout team was patrolling Algiers when members observed gunfire coming from an apartment window. Two young men then walked out of the building and were heard chatting about shooting at a helicopter.
"They won't be back now," one of them said, according to a law enforcement affidavit filed in federal court.
Inside the apartment, ATF agents found a .22-caliber Rhomn revolver and a .32-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver -- both hidden beneath a mattress -– along with a box of 9-mm ammunition.
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Bailey has prior convictions for dealing marijuana and cocaine. He admitted to ATF agents at the scene that he was a felon, and he told them were the guns were, Letten's office said.
At the time of the shooting, Letten said that a number of civilian and military aircraft were in the air performing duties such as evacuation, search and rescue and delivering supplies.
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