U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Control Act and Controlled Substances Act Violations
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROXANNE CARTER, age 36, pled guilty on January 23, 2024 before United States District Judge Brandon S. Long to a five-count superseding bill of information. Specifically, CARTER pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, distribution of a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).
CARTER also pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), and 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 Counts one, two and three, CARTER faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three (3) years of supervised release. As to Count four, CARTER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years and up to life imprisonment to run consecutive to any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five (5) years of supervised release. As to Count five, CARTER faces up to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) supervised release. As to each count, CARTER also faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
According to court documents, CARTER conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine in Orleans Parish. CARTER also possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, specifically possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. CARTER admitted she was a prohibited person and knew she had a prior felony conviction that prohibited her from possessing a firearm.
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.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish Crime Laboratory. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit
Contact
Shane M. Jones
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department of Justice
Updated January 26, 2024
Topic
Project Safe Neighborhoods