NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that GEORGE CARTER, age 63 of New Orleans, pled guilty Thursday, June 27, 2019 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.

According to court documents, CARTER and others conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one hundred grams or more of heroin.

CARTER faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of forty years of imprisonment.  A fine of up to $5,000,000 may also be imposed or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person.  CARTER will be placed on supervised release after imprisonment for a period of not less than four years.  Additionally, a $100 special assessment fee will be assessed.  U.S. District Court Judge Ashe set sentencing for October 3, 2019.



U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Maria M. Carboni are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JOHN JONES, age 45, of New Orleans, pled guilty Thursday, June 13, 2019 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin on June 13, 2019.



According to court documents, JONES and others conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.



JONES faces a minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.  A fine of up to $10,000,000 may also be imposed.  JONES will be placed on supervised release after imprisonment for a period of not less than five years.  Additionally, a $100 special assessment fee will be assessed.  U.S. District Court Judge Ashe set sentencing for September 19, 2019.



U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Maria M. Carboni are in charge of the prosecution.



 

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that GERARD HARRISON, age 31, of New Orleans, pled guilty to violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and the federal Gun Control Act. 



On June 13, 2019, HARRISON pled guilty to a two-count bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one hundred grams or more of heroin and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  According to court documents, federal agents intercepted wiretapped calls involving HARRISON and surveilled him as he conducted drug transactions.  Law enforcement agents also executed a search warrant at HARRISON’s home, and recovered an assault rifle, a large capacity magazine, and bags of heroin.



For his violation of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, HARRISON faces a minimum term of five years and a maximum term of forty years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, not less than four years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.  Additionally, for his violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, HARRISON faces a consecutive sentence of not less than five years imprisonment up to life imprisonment, not less than 5 years of supervised release, a fine of not more than $250,000, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. District Court Judge Ashe set sentencing for September 19, 2019.



U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Maria M. Carboni are in charge of the prosecution.



 

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U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JUAN CARLOS MOSQUERA-AMARI, age 46, of New Orleans, ALEXANDER MURIEL-DIAZ, age 52, of Houston, Texas, LUIS RAMOS GRAVEDEPERALTA, age 60, of Kenner, CARLOS ALBERTO GONZALEZ VALENCIA, age 36, of Houston, Texas, STEVEN DUNCAN, age 45, of Metairie, JOSE ANTONIO VALVERDE-CHACON, age 37, of Houston, Texas, JOHN JONES, age 43, of New Orleans, HARVEY VICTORIA-CUELLAR, age 38, of Houston, Texas, RODNEY ROBINSON, age 60, of New Orleans, JAVIER CONTRERAS-CASTILLO, age 26, of Houston, and GERARD HARRISON, age 30, of New Orleans were charged in a four-count second superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute heroin, in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.  ROBINSON was charged with one count of distribution of heroin.  JONES was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  HARRISON was also charged with possession of 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).



According to the second superseding indictment, the defendants conspired with each other and others between July 19, 2017 and June 1, 2018, to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. 

In addition, according to the second superseding indictment, on April 5, 2018, JONES possessed three firearms, a Glock Model 27, .40-caliber semiautomatic firearm, a Ruger Model P89, 9mm firearm, and a Ruger Model SR22, .22 caliber firearm.  JONES had previously been convicted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana of a felony offense.    

Furthermore, the second superseding indictment charges that HARRISON possessed an Anderson Manufacturing Model AM-15 rifle and a Glock Model 22, .40-caliber firearm in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least 5 years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.

If convicted of distribution of heroin, ROBINSON faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.

If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, JONES faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. 

If convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, HARRISON faces a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $250,000, up to five years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. 

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a second superseding indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.



U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Maria M. Carboni are in charge of the prosecution.