April 10--Robert Durst was formally charged Friday by a federal grand jury in New Orleans with illegally possessing a handgun.
Friday's indictment alleges Durst violated the federal gun-control act by possessing a firearm after being convicted of prior felonies.
This week, federal prosecutors filed a complaint outlining the charge, which they brought after FBI agents who stopped Durst at a hotel March 14 found a .38 revolver in his room.
Durst, 71, subject of the recent HBO documentary series "The Jinx," now faces criminal charges in three cases. In California, he is wanted in connection with the 2000 slaying of friend Susan Berman, who was shot in the head in her Benedict Canyon home. In New Orleans, in addition to the federal charge, Durst faces two state weapons charges.
He has waived extradition to California and even offered to pay transportation costs, according to his attorneys. But prosecutors in New Orleans have fought to keep him there -- and so far, they are succeeding.
Durst is being held without bond at the medical unit of Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, about 70 miles west of New Orleans. His birthday is Sunday. He is due back in federal court at 2 p.m. Tuesday. He s not expected to appear back in state court until May 7.
@mollyhf
