FnD Gang Leader Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Narcotics Charges

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced  that TRAVIS SCOTT, a/k/a “Trap,” a/k/a “Slim,” age 31, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to the Third Superseding Indictment charging him with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms violations.  He was the final pending defendant in this RICO prosecution.

According to court documents, SCOTT admitted to his role as the leader of the Frenchmen/Derbigny gang, or “FnD.”  SCOTT admitted that the FnD gang was an enterprise that engaged in racketeering under federal law.  From approximately 2006 through 2014, FnD members sold heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and other illegal drugs near the intersection of Frenchmen and North Derbigny Streets in New Orleans.  FnD members often sold drugs in the Frenchmen Meat Market, a convenience store located at the corner of Frenchmen and North Derbigny Streets.  FnD members used intimidation, violence, and threats of violence to maintain the gang’s control over turf that extended from Elysian Fields Avenue, North Johnson Street, the I-10 Interstate Highway, St. Anthony Street, and North Claiborne Avenue.  SCOTT admitted that no other individuals could sell drugs in this area without his permission, and he would direct FnD members to commit crimes of violence against rival gang members in order to preserve FnD’s control over the neighborhood.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, SCOTT pleaded guilty to Counts 1, 2, 3, and 10 of the Third Superseding Indictment.  Count 1 charged TRAVIS SCOTT with engaging in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy.  The maximum sentence for Count 1 is a term of life imprisonment.  Count 2 charged a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, for which TRAVIS SCOTT faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment.  Count 3 charged a conspiracy to possess and use firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  Finally, TRAVIS SCOTT pleaded guilty to Count 10, which alleged that TRAVIS SCOTT committed a shooting on March 25, 2012, in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy and the RICO conspiracy.  Count 10 carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum of life imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.  In total, TRAVIS SCOTT may receive no less than 20 years in prison, and he could receive any term of years up to and including life imprisonment.  U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle set sentencing for February 3, 2016.

TRAVIS SCOTT was the final defendant pending in this indictment.  Previously, co-defendants Akein Scott, Shawn Scott, Stanley Scott, Jeremiah Jackson, Brian Benson, Crystal Scott, Gralen Benson, and Richmond Smith pleaded guilty to narcotics and firearms-related offenses.  TRAVIS SCOTT, Akein Scott, Shawn Scott, Stanley Scott, and Jeremiah Jackson each pleaded guilty to committing shootings on behalf of the FnD gang.  In total, members of FnD have admitted to perpetrating at least six shootings in New Orleans.  Among these was the Mother’s Day shooting, in which Akein Scott and Shawn Scott fired upon a Mother’s Day second-line parade in the New Orleans Seventh Ward on May 12, 2013, striking at least 20 victims.

This case was the product of an ongoing investigation into the violent acts in furtherance of the drug trafficking by the FnD gang.  It represents the continued coordinated effort of the federal and state law enforcement authorities within the Multi-Agency Gang (“MAG”), including the United States Attorney’s Office, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and officers of the New Orleans Police Department.  Federal and local authorities also utilized tips through the Crimestoppers Program in the successful investigation of these crimes.

Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Payne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Ebarb, who is assigned from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office are in charge of the prosecution.