New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Trafficking Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, age 39, a New Orleans resident, pleaded guilty on August 23, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to a two-count superseding bill of information that  charged him with conspiracy to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846,  and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, JOHNSON regularly received half-kilogram quantities of heroin through the mail from his source of supply in California.  JOHNSON then distributed the heroin in multiple ounce quantities to other co-conspirators.  On June 22, 2021, agents seized 485 grams of heroin that was mailed to JOHNSON and a co-conspirator.

For the conspiracy charge, JOHNSON faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment,a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  For the possession with intent to distribute heroin charge, JOHNSON faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years, up to forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000.000, at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation  (New Orleans Gang Task Force), with the assistance of the New Orleans Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, led the investigation.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.