New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -- U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that BURNEAL CARNEY, age 28, of New Orleans, plead guilty to three counts of violating the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts. Specifically, he is charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

According to court documents, on January 31, 2023, in response to complaints of gun violence and drug trafficking, NOPD officers were monitoring the 1500 block of South Liberty Street when they observed CARNEY engaging in drug trafficking while possessing a firearm.  The officers stopped CARNEY and, after obtaining a search warrant for his vehicle, found a loaded Glock Model 17, 9milli-meter handgun, and additional ammunition.  Officers also recovered 102.92 grams of marijuana in a jar and in plastic baggies, 3.08 grams of cocaine, 0.09 grams of methamphetamine, and 2 digital scales. 

Sentencing in this case is scheduled for February 15, 2024. CARNEY faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine and at least three (3) years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; a maximum of five (5) years to life to run consecutively, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five (5) years of supervised release for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime;  and a maximum statutory sentence of fifteen (15) years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Each charge also carries a $100.00 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 praised the work of the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Irene González of the General Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.