New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Weapons Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On July 12, 2023, JUSTIN MORGAN, age 25, a resident of Orleans Parish, pled guilty to three counts of a seven-count superseding indictment for drug and weapons violations, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

In Count 1 of the superseding indictment, MORGAN was charged with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and (b)(1)(d). MORGAN faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a period of at least 3 years of supervised release.

In Count 2 , MORGAN 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). MORGAN faces a minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a period of up to 5 years of supervised release.  Additionally, this sentence must run consecutive to all other sentences imposed.

In Count 3 , MORGAN 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). MORGAN faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a period of up to 3 years of supervised release. For Counts 1,2 and 3, MORGAN also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

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.