New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Weapons Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on December 6, 2023, GREGORY WILLIAMS, age 30, a resident of Orleans Parish, pled guilty to four counts of a seven-count superseding indictment for drug and weapons violations. Sentencing is set for April 3, 2024.

In Count 4, WILLIAMS is charged with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(d). For this charge, WILLIAMS faces up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and at least 2 years of supervised release.

In Count 5, WILLIAMS is charged with possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). For this charge, WILLIAMS faces a mandatory minimum sentence 5 years imprisonment up to life, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to 5 years of supervised release.

In Count 6, WILLIAMS is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  For this charge, WILLIAMS faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and  up to 3 years supervised release.

Finally, in Count 7, WILLIAMS is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). As to this charge, WILLIAMS faces  up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to 3 years of supervised release. As to each charged count, WILLIAMS faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

According to court documents, on February 10, 2022, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (“JPSO”) conducted a narcotics investigation in the Metairie Heights Apartment complex in Metairie, LA. Based on their observations, officers stopped a vehicle in the parking lot. During that stop, several individuals located in the parking lot fled from law enforcement.  One of those individuals was later identified as WILLIAMS. Investigators identified WILLIAMS as the front-seat passenger of a Dodge Charger that was also located in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and during the subsequent search, located a firearm and narcotics, as well as documentation linked to WILLIAMS. Additionally, on October 1, 2022, officers observed WILLIAMS in possession of two firearms outside of a residence in the 3600 block of Clio Street in New Orleans.

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 the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New Orleans Police Department. The case  is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit.