New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LEON THOMPSON, age 39, of New Orleans, Louisiana,  pled guilty on May 2, 2024 to one (1) count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and (b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on March 16, 2023, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s deputies learned that THOMPSON was delivering methamphetamine and other drugs to a residence in Buras, Louisiana, the following morning.  In anticipation of THOMPSON’s arrival at the residence, officers conducted surveillance and located THOMPSON.  Officers observed THOMPSON drive to and enter a fisheries plant in Plaquemines Parish where he remained for about ten minutes.  After leaving the plant, he headed to the Buras residence.  When THOMPSON arrived and saw the officers, he threw a cellophane bag containing 21.61 grams of methamphetamine to the ground.  Deputies seized the methamphetamine and arrested THOMPSON. The officers also seized 1.13 grams of fentanyl from his vehicle.  In a post-arrest statement, THOMPSON told the officers that he stored drugs at his place of employment, and he identified the locations at the plant where he stored the drugs.  Officers entered THOMPSON employment location and seized 17.99 grams of fentanyl and a digital scale from the areas that THOMPSON identified as his drug storage locations. 

For the methamphetamine charged, THOMPSON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and maximum term of imprisonment of forty years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and a mandatory minimum term of supervised release of four years.  For the fentanyl charged, THOMPSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of three years.  THOMPSON also faces a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.  THOMPSON’s sentencing is set for August 15, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys André Jones and Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.