Federal Grand Jury Indicts Individual for Federal Firearms and Narcotics Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JONATH WILLIAMSON, JR., age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on March 31, 2023 in a four-count indictment.  In count 1, WILLIAMSON is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  In count 2, WILLIAMSON is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A).  In count 3, WILLIAMSON is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).  In count 4, WILLIAMSON is charged with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(k).

If convicted in count 1, WILLIAMSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. If convicted in count 2, WILLIAMSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, to run consecutively to all other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.  If convicted of Count 3, WILLIAMSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  If convicted of Count 4, WILLIAMSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  WILLIAMSON must pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each count.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

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.

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.