New Orleans Man Indicted for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CYRUS ROLLINS, age 41, a resident of New Orleans, was charged on November 16, 2023 in a three-count indictment for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts that allegedly occurred on or about August 30, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.   

 Count 1 of the indictment charged ROLLINS with possession with the intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  For these offenses, he faces up to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Count 2 charged ROLLINS with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  For this offense, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, to run consecutive with any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Count 3 charged ROLLINS with being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).  For this offense, he faces up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For each count, ROLLINS also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

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 reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy of the Violent Crimes Unit.