.223-.556 Ammo Information

Gregory Kielma • October 21, 2023

223 Remington/5.56 x 45mm NATO Cartridge

223 Remington/5.56 x 45mm NATO Cartridge

Hey Gregory,


Today's workbench is written by guest contributor and AGI Certified Gunsmith and GCA Moderator Robert Dunn:


There isn’t a day of my life that goes by that I don’t work with, reload, think or write about the .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO cartridges. Those cartridges are what a couple of my favorite and most used rifles are chambered for.


When I worked in an ammunition factory, I would sometimes get paid in .223 ammunition. When I was growing up in the early 1970s I became familiar with the .223 Remington cartridge, as it was the new round being used by our Armed Forces.


Warfighters throughout the world had realized the advantage of automatic firepower, but finding the perfect firearm and cartridge design is a huge challenge. In the case of the .223 Remington, many sources helped bring this cartridge into use by both civilians and the military.


Eugene Stoner of ArmaLite (then a division of Fairchild Industries) had gained the attention of the Military with his 7.62 x 51mm chambered AR-10 rifle. Like many high powered rifles, the AR-10 was hard to control during automatic fire.


Consequently, Fairchild Industries and Stoner were asked to scale down the AR-10 to fire a smaller caliber cartridge. Stoner came up with a prototype AR-15 and after a demonstration for the army, he was asked to produce more rifles for testing in 1957.


Select engineers and other companies like Remington Arms, Winchester as well as ArmaLite were asked to take part in developing this project. Springfield Armory’s Earle Harvey lengthened the .222 Remington case to the required specifications and it became the .224 Springfield, which was commercially known as the .222 Remington Magnum.


Frank Snow (of Sierra Bullets) and Eugene Stoner calculated the ballistics data for the .222 Remington to find the best bullet for the project, which ended up being a 55 grain bullet. Meanwhile, the Technical Editor for Gun and Ammo magazine, Robert Hutton, worked up a propellant recipe that could attain a velocity of 3,300 fps. Ultimately, Remington came up with the .222 Special cartridge, which was later renamed the .223 Remington because there were so many .222 designations.


Just a few of the military requirements for the firearm and cartridges were that they needed to be able to penetrate one side of a US Steel helmet at 500 yards, had to be able to exceed supersonic speed at 500 yards, had to be .22 caliber and select fire. From years of research and development of the AR-10 and AR-15, ArmaLite was facing financial difficulties and sold the rights for the rifles to Colt in 1959.


The AR-15 and the T44E4 rifle that would later be known as the M14 were being testing at the same time. To make a long story short, it was found that the AR-15 had far less failures per 1,000 rounds fired and that riflemen had a higher hit probability when firing Stoner’s rifle.


After Air Force General Curtis Le May test fired the AR-15, he ordered a batch of AR-15s to replace some of the M2 carbines that the Air Force was using. As the trials and testing continued, it was found that during marksmanship testing that many more men were achieving Expert shooting status with the AR-15 than they were with the M14. With these findings and the failure rate of the AR-15 going down even further, General Le May placed an order for 80,000 rifles in 1961.


In 1962, Remington filed the specs for the .223 Remington cartridge with SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute) and the cartridge was later marketed commercially as a chambering for the Remington 760 rifle in 1963.


At this point in time, the United States was embroiled in the conflicts arising in Southeast Asia. It was politically decided that contracts for rifle manufacturing could be bid on by the private sector and Colt was awarded the contract to provide AR-15 rifles to fill orders for the Vietnam War.


The AR-15 rifle and the .223 Remington cartridge were formally adopted in 1964 and designated the XM16E1 rifle, commonly referred to as the M16, and the 5.56 Ball M193 cartridge. It was decided that the South Vietnamese troops would be supplied with the M16 rifle. Eventually, the Air Force, the US Army, Special Forces, the Coast Guard, the US Navy, the Marines as well as the SEAL teams had orders in for M16 rifles and cartridges. In 1965, Colt received orders for 800,000 M16E1 rifle and over 28,000 M16 rifles.


The M16 and the 5.56 Ball ammo would go through some major growing pains as the rifles and cartridges were issued to troops in Vietnam. Besides not being trained on how to properly clean the gun, the rifle suffered from many types of jams and failures.


Broken extractors and extractor springs accounted for many ejection failures and through more research, it was found that the propellant being used in the cartridges was creating horrific fouling of the gas and bolt system. The ball powder that was being used also created a longer pressure spike, which caused the case to expand in the chamber but it would not contract enough to be extracted.


The extractor would simply tear through the case rim, leaving the stuck case in the chamber. By using a different propellant, chrome plating the barrels and replacing the buffer with a new design that slowed down the cyclic rate, along with some other design changes, the problems were gradually sorted out. Unfortunately many American lives were lost because of these errors.


The process of selecting a smaller cartridge for use by NATO forces began in 1960. The cartridge design was based on the .223 Remington cartridge and its development was placed in the hands of FN Herstal. The rimless bottlenecked cartridge was named the 5.56 x 54mm NATO cartridge.


In 1980, the 5.56 NATO cartridge became the standard NATO rifle cartridge (known as the SS109 for NATO and the M855 for the United States). The 5.56mm cartridges allowed the soldier to be able to carry more ammunition, which equated to more firepower and logistically many more rounds could be transported to hot spots around the world by weight than the larger 7.62 NATO cartridges. On a global scale this can equal a savings of millions of dollars.


The number of firearms that are chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge is too numerous to list here. Just think about all of the different squad automatic weapons, rifles, carbines and machine guns that each NATO country uses…that is a lot of different weapons!


The Frankford Arsenal, Remington and Winchester produced the first lots of .223 ammunition for the United States Armed Forces. During the trials and testing of the AR-15, 19 Million .223 cartridges were purchased. When a cartridge does well for the military, the Law Enforcement and civilian communities usually follows their lead. If you have ever read the 27 page document for the military specifications for the M855 cartridge (5.56 x 54mm), you can see that heavy scrutiny has already been applied to the 5.56mm round!


The .223 Remington cartridge has become one of the most used cartridges in the United States. It is a great varmint and predator cartridge and could be used for larger game if need be by loading a heavier bullet like a Hornady GMX or Barnes TSX 70-grain projectiles. These slower moving heavier bullets seem to do quite well in windy conditions. The above attributes make the 5.56mm round a flexible survival cartridge too.


You may have noticed or even been annoyed by the interchanging .223/5.56 terminology, here are of the important similarities and difference between the two cartridges. The case dimensions are exactly the same, though case thickness/propellant capacity can vary significantly between manufacturers which will have an effect on the resulting pressures.


The 5.56 x 45mm NATO or other military 5.56 ammo tends to be loaded hotter, so chamber pressures will be greater than the typical .223 Remington load. For this reason, .223 Remington rounds can be safely fired in a 5.56 chambered gun but 5.56mm ammo should not be fired in a .223 Rem chambered gun.


The reason for this really comes down to the differences in the chamber dimensions between .223 and 5.56 barrels. The throat/free bore and leade of a 5.56mm chamber is longer. The throat of the chamber is the unrifled section of the chamber just forward of the neck and gives the bullet a place to sit. Leade or lead is the section of the bore of a rifled barrel located just ahead of the throat of the chamber. It is a conical shaped transition from end of the throat to the fully rifled part of the barrel.


In an effort to gain more accuracy from the 5.56mm NATO cartridge, Bill Wylde created the .223 Wylde, which is a chamber design that utilizes the same external dimensions and lead angle of a 5.56 NATO cartridge and the freebore diameter of the .223 Remington cartridge. Another company that uses a proprietary chamber design to achieve better accuracy from the 5.56mm NATO cartridge is Noveske. A Noveske barrel is not cheap but they are known for their precision and high quality products.


SAAMI specs are followed by manufacturers in the U.S. loading .223 Remington ammo but those same manufacturers who also load 5.56 ammo do not follow SAAMI specs because the 5.56 rounds are loaded to military specifications and thus not held to SAAMI specs. In Europe, the international organization C.I.P. tests and sets the safety standards for firearms and ammunition. In countries that are regulated by the C.I.P., .223 Remington ammunition is proof tested at the same maximum service pressure as the 5.56 x 54mm NATO cartridges.


There have been a lot of challenges that had to be met throughout the history of the AR-15 and the 5.56 x 54mm cartridge. The twist rate of a barrel and the chamber dimensions greatly effect performance and accuracy. The shorter barreled M4 carbines and the requests for even shorter barrel lengths coming from the Special Forces communities have kept firearms and ammunition engineers busy. At this point in time, the AR-15 style rifles and the .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO cartridges offer a very reliable and accurate shooting platform.

The AR-15 rifle and .223/5.56 cartridge combination have gone through many changes together. They are still being used by our Military/Law Enforcement and civilian populations to good affect every day. This combo is a must for 3-gun competition. The .223 Remington cartridge is not overly expensive and there is always a wide variety of ammunition to choose from. There is a lot of surplus ammo to select from as well. Many other firearms are chambered in .223 Rem besides the AR-15 type guns.


The 5.56mm round is a good cartridge to reload for, as there is a huge variety of quality components to choose from as well. In 1964, the year I was born, these cartridges were the new warfighting cartridge and the US Armed Forces began using them. It’s easy for me to remember how many years these cartridges have been in use!


Become an American Gunsmith and continue to preserve our Firearm’s Heritage!


Robert Dunn,
Gunsmith & Community Moderator
American Gunsmithing Institute
Gunsmithing Club of America

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How to Spot and Prevent a Carbon Monoxide Leak Kielma February 2025 Home Defense Safety Talk Gregg Kielma FFL-Firearms- Instructor First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith- AED Defibrillator Sales Protect your home from dangerous CO. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that's produced when fossil fuels are burned. It's colorless, odorless and silent, making it virtually impossible to detect on its own until it's too late. CO poisoning is totally preventable with the proper use of carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide blocks your blood's ability to carry oxygen. Specifically, it replaces the spot that oxygen normally takes on the hemoglobin in red blood cells by bonding more tightly to it. When your blood can no longer continue its job of carrying the oxygen your body needs to keep your organs operating, especially your brain, your organs will shut down. You may be wondering what causes carbon monoxide in and around a house, and there are several common culprits. 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Home Hero Fire Blanket How Does it Work? Is it Right for Your Home? Presented by Gregg Kielma FFL-Firearms Instructor- First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith- (Trained but not current: Firefighter-Hazmat Team Member) Says FFL, Firearm's instructor Gregg Kielma, "fire arm and fire safety at the home is paramount to your protection. Is the bad guy armed or is there a fire inside your home? If you have a break-in from a perpetrator or fire, can you combat it until LEO or firefighters arrive? Will you be a home invasion victim? Will your home burn down? What can you do to buy yourself time safely? Today let's take a look at fire prevention safety.... 1. Stop Fire In Its Tracks There are over 358,000 house fires in the USA every year. Almost all of them start small and are controllable. You can use a Prepared Hero's Fire Blanket to safely eliminate fire. Pull the tabs to release the blanket and toss it over any small fire to instantly suffocate it. 2. Anyone Can Use It It’s lightweight and built for ease of use. From grandparents to kids, the Prepared Hero Fire Blanket works great. Heavy and complex equipment is a thing of the past! 3. No Messy Cleanup Standard fire extinguishers typically leave you with a powdery mess to clean up after. 4. Works On Most Types of Fire Most fires small enough for the blanket to cover around can be eliminated. This includes wood, paper, grease and even electrical fires. Especially once the heat or fuel source has been turned off. 5. Never Expires As long as the blanket is in good condition, it will not expire. There is no costly maintenance or recharging. And it’s often times reusable! If it’s not damaged after using, simply wipe it off and fold it back into the pouch. And remember to keep the quick deploy tabs hanging out! 6.Hero Blanket and Fire Fighters Love Us Prepared Hero Fire Blanket has over 1,500,000 happy customers with an average review of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Many Fire Departments and Fire Fighters approve of Prepared Hero Fire Blankets. See what some people are saying: • Peace of Mind. • Quick and Easy to Use. • Light weight. • Affordable • Can be used conjunction with a fire extinguisher. Why is it so vital to own this fire safety device? Stop a small fire that may become big, quickly. Shouldn't I just wait for the Fire Department to arrive? If your comfortable saving your property or need training the FD or myself is willing to train you how. Statistics show that the average Fire Department response time is at least 5-10 minutes away. Within 3 minutes of a fire in modern day homes, the entire room will already be up in flames. Within the first 60 seconds of a house fire, smoke is so intense and filled with toxicity from plastics that two breaths can cause you to pass out. Eliminating fire while it's still small is essential in preventing disaster. The Prepared Hero Fire Blanket was designed exactly for this type of emergency. It's an affordable and simple way to prevent this life-threatening event from ever occurring. Gregg Kielma FFL-Firearms Instructor- First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith- (Trained but not current: Firefighter-Hazmat Team Member)
By Gregory Kielma February 3, 2025
Don’t Be That Person at the Range: 11 Essential Gun Safety & Etiquette Tips Gregg Kielma FFL-Firearms- Instructor First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith- AED Defibrillator Sales Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a first timer, the shooting range is a space where safety and respect take precedence over everything else. It’s a place to hone your skills, test equipment, and enjoy camaraderie with fellow enthusiasts. However, a single misstep—whether due to carelessness or lack of knowledge—can endanger lives and ruin the experience for everyone. That’s why understanding and adhering to gun safety rules and range etiquette is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore the critical safety, and etiquette tips every shooter must know to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to the range. Says Firearms Instructor Gregg Kielma, Range Etiquette Matters Adhering to gun safety rules and range etiquette isn’t just about avoiding accidents, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable and secure. Whether it’s respecting the firing line, following commands, or cleaning up after yourself, every action contributes to the collective experience. A little courtesy goes a long way in ensuring that the range remains a place where all skill levels are welcome. Kielma continues, let’s take a look at using a firearm at your favorite range: If you don’t know or understand, ASK! 1. Always Keep Your Gun Pointed in a Safe Direction The cardinal rule of gun safety is to always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. At the range, this means always pointing the firearm downrange, even when unloading, cleaning, or setting it down. Outside the range, common sense and situational awareness dictate what constitutes a safe direction. For example, if you’re not on the firing line, keeping the muzzle pointed toward the ground is typically best. This habit ensures that even in the event of an accidental discharge, no one will be harmed. 2. Treat Every Firearm as if It’s Loaded Even if you’ve checked and double-checked that your firearm is unloaded, always treat it as though it’s live. This mindset fosters a culture of caution and minimizes complacency. When you pick up a firearm, inspect the chamber, magazine, and action to ensure they’re clear. This rule may seem overly cautious, but it prevents situations where assumptions lead to tragic accidents. 3. Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until You’re Ready to Shoot A golden rule of firearm handling is to avoid placing your finger on the trigger until your sights are aligned, your target is identified, and you’re ready to fire. This precaution prevents premature or accidental discharges, which can occur even with a light brush of the trigger. Train yourself to rest your finger outside the trigger guard, alongside the frame of the firearm, as a default position. Developing this habit takes practice but is one of the most effective ways to maintain safety. 4. Follow the Range Officer’s Commands Without Hesitation Range officers are there to keep everyone safe and maintain order, and their instructions are non-negotiable. Commands like “cease fire” or “unload” must be followed immediately and without question. If you’re unsure about what a command means, ask before shooting begins. These instructions are designed to prevent accidents and ensure that all shooters and bystanders remain safe during a range of activities. 5. Use Eye and Ear Protection Always Protecting your vision and hearing is non-negotiable when handling firearms. The sound of gunfire can cause irreversible hearing damage, while ricochets or debris from fired rounds can injure your eyes. High-quality ear protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, and ANSI-rated safety glasses are essential for every shooter, regardless of their experience level. For children, doubling up with both earplugs and earmuffs is recommended for maximum protection. 6. Unload Firearms When Not In Use A firearm should only be loaded when you’re actively shooting at the range. When entering or exiting the facility, walking to your shooting station, or handling your firearm in non-firing areas, it must be unloaded. The action should remain open, and detachable magazines must be removed. Always visually and physically inspect the chamber and magazine to confirm they’re clear before setting down or transporting the firearm. 7. Understand and Respect Firing Line Rules The firing line is a designated area where strict safety protocols are enforced. Only handle your firearm at the line when the range is declared “hot” and shooting is allowed. Never touch or load your firearm when someone is downrange, as this creates a significant safety hazard. Wait for the range officer to give the all-clear before resuming any activity at the line. 8. Keep Brass and Ejected Cases Under Control Semi-automatic firearms eject spent brass, which can create a nuisance – or even a safety issue – for neighboring shooters. Be mindful of where your brass is landing and adjust your position if necessary. While collecting your brass is generally allowed, only pick up your own casings, and never retrieve brass that has fallen forward of the firing line. 9. Avoid Rapid Firing Unless Permitted (ask the Range Safety Officer If Permitted…RSO) Most shooting ranges require a minimum of two seconds between shots to ensure accuracy and prevent reckless behavior. Rapid firing, while exciting, can lead to poor control and potentially dangerous situations. Following this rule demonstrates respect for range policies and allows you to focus on improving your marksmanship. 10. Stick to Approved Ammunition Not all ammunition is allowed at every range. Types like tracer rounds, armor-piercing bullets, and steel-core ammunition are often prohibited due to their potential to damage equipment or create safety risks. Check the range’s ammunition policies before bringing your own and use only what’s explicitly approved for the facilities. 11. Clean Up Your Station Before You Leave Leaving a clean station isn’t just polite – it’s a safety measure. Dispose of spent brass, trash, and targets in the appropriate receptacles, and ensure the area is tidy for the next shooter. A well-maintained range benefits everyone and helps foster a sense of community among its users. Gregg Kielma FFL-Firearms- Instructor First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith- AED Defibrillator Sales
By Gregory Kielma February 2, 2025
The Face of a Coldblooded Killer: T. White 77-year-old woman was watching TV with her husband when the man she tried to help start over in life rushed into her home and stabbed her to death with a large knife; man arrested Florida – In a shocking turn of events in Florida, a 31-year-old man, identified as T. White, seeking to rebuild his life, was arrested after he brutally murdered the 77-year-old woman, identified as L. Reed, who generously opened her home to him and tried to help him start over in life. According to reports, White fatally stabbed Reed multiple times in the head and body while she was watching TV in the living room with her husband. Reed and her husband, who extended a helping hand by offering White a place to stay on their property to help him start over in life, faced a terrifying betrayal. White, who had been living in a camper on the couple’s property and was granted access to their home, attacked Reed with a large knife in their living room while the couple was watching TV. The attack occurred on January 20th in the peaceful setting of their home. According to the sheriff’s office, White, without any apparent reason, assaulted Reed with a large knife, inflicting multiple fatal stab wounds to her body and head. Sheriff B. Johnson recounted the horrifying incident to the local media outlets, noting the chilling confession White made to the victim’s husband: “I did what you wanted,” followed by the bizarre justification, “God told him to,” when asked why he committed such a brutal act. The local community has been left reeling by the violence. Neighbors expressed their disbelief, noting how harmless White seemed as he walked up and down the road, underscoring a growing mistrust among residents. Following the attack, the victim’s husband took immediate action, wrapping his wife in a blanket and rushing her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The loss of Reed marks a tragic endpoint to what began as a charitable act, turning an intended recovery story into a fatal tragedy. White fled the scene immediately after the stabbing. His apprehension involved a dramatic sequence of events, including two police pursuits across multiple counties. Initially, these pursuits stemmed from a stolen vehicle report and were not immediately linked to the murder. “Somebody pursued him, but they didn’t know it was a murder suspect at the time,” Sheriff Johnson said. It was only after coordination between jurisdictions that the authorities were informed of White’s status as a murder suspect. Finally, after a vehicle crash and foot chase in the woods, law enforcement successfully captured White. He has been arrested at least seven times previously and was out on probation for another violation just two weeks prior to committing the murder. Currently, White remains in custody, awaiting extradition to face charges for Reed’s murder. This case poses difficult questions about the balance between compassion and self-protection, highlighting a devastating scenario where kindness was repaid with lethal violence. As the community mourns Reed and seeks justice for her untimely death, many are left to ponder the implications of opening their doors to those in need, a sentiment that has undoubtedly been shaken by this tragic incident. The legal proceedings for White are awaited with a keen eye by those affected, hoping for closure and justice for a life brutally taken.
By Gregory Kielma February 2, 2025
Thomaston Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing a Machinegun and Possessing Controlled Substances Friday, January 31, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine Chandler Breen possessed a firearm augmented with a machinegun conversion device, equipped with a 50-round magazine PORTLAND, Maine: A Thomaston man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland today to unlawful possessing a machinegun and possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute. According to court records, in April 2024, the Thomaston Police Department received a tip that Chandler Breen, 34, was selling drugs behind a local business. A search of Breen’s vehicle revealed a firearm modified with a machinegun conversion device, 9mm ammunition, a large amount of cash, approximately 62 grams of cocaine, approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine, and at least 6 grams of fentanyl. Breen faces up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release on the firearms charge; and up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $1 million and a minimum of three years of supervised release on the drug charge. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the Thomaston Police Department. Contact Noah Falk, Assistant United States Attorney (Tel: 207-780-3257) Updated January 31, 2025
By Gregory Kielma February 2, 2025
Covington Man Guilty of Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms, Silencers, and Machineguns Thursday, January 30, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOE LYNN BEATTIE (“BEATTIE”), age 52, of Covington, Louisiana, pled guilty on January 27, 2025, to a three (3) count indictment. Count One charged him with being a Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Count Two charged him with possession of silencers that were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5841. Finally, Count Three charged him with possession of machineguns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 922(o). According to court records, federal agents learned BEATTIE had received unlawfully imported firearm parts from China. Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and officers from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, then executed a search warrant at his residence. The search yielded five (5) firearms, ammunition, sixteen (16) silencers, and five (5) machinegun conversion devices, that turn firearms into fully automatic weapons. If convicted, BEATTIE faces a maximum penalty of fifteen (15) years imprisonment for Count One, and up to ten (10) years of imprisonment for both Counts Two and Three. He also faces up to three (3) years of supervised release following imprisonment and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee as to all counts. As for Counts One and Three, he faces a fine of up to $250,000, and up to a $10,000 fine for Count Two. 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. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution. Contact Shane M. Jones Public Information Officer United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana United States Department of Justice Updated January 30, 2025
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