Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS MAN
FACES FEDERAL GUN AND DRUG CHARGES
July 27, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOHN WAYNE THOMAS, age 27, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged by a Federal Grand Jury in a three-court indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm, with possession with intent to distribute “crack” cocaine and with possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to documents, on April 4, 2007, Officers with the New Orleans Police Department, assisted by ATF agents as part of a joint initiative against crime, stopped THOMAS while on patrol. THOMAS had in his possession a quantity of Methadone and a 9mm pistol. Further investigation determined that THOMAS, had a prior felony conviction in Washington Parish Court for possession of “Alprazolam, a schedule IV controlled substance. Based on the investigation, THOMAS was charged with possession with intent to distribute Methadone, a schedule II narcotic controlled substance and with the gun charges. The case was adopted under Project Safe Neighborhoods.
If convicted on the current charges, WILLIAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty (30) years and a minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of $2,000,000.00 and a minimum six (6) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Tony Gordon Sanders.
