Press Releases
LOCAL HEROIN DEALER SENTENCED TO OVER 14 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
December 17, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RYAN KEELER, age 30, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced by U. S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to one hundred seventy (170) months imprisonment for possessing heroin with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U. S Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Zaniey imposed five (5) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time, the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
KEELER previously entered a guilty plea on July 17, 2008. According to court documents, officers with the New Orleans Police Department learned from an informant that KEELER, who sold retail amounts of heroin within New Orleans, had heroin and firearms in his New Orleans residence. The informant also stated that KEELER kept heroin at a separate residence in Metairie. On January 29, 2008, officers conducted surveillance of KEELER and observed what appeared to be a drug transaction at a local daiquiri shop. Officers arrested KEELER and obtained a search warrant for his New Orleans residence. A search of the residence revealed approximately 143 grams of heroin, a .357 revolver, and a .9mm handgun in a safe in KEELER’s bedroom. During the subsequent investigation, officers learned the location of KEELER’s stash house on Airline Drive in Metairie, and, along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, obtained a search warrant and searched the residence, locating approximately 500 grams of heroin.
KEELER was previously convicted in federal court on March 19, 2003, for possession with intent to distribute at least five grams of crack cocaine and a quantity of powder cocaine. He was sentenced to seventy (70) months of imprisonment and four (4) years of supervised release by Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle.
The Court imposed a sentence within the recommended guidelines range. After sentencing, KEELER was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service to begin his term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the officers of the New Orleans Police Department and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin G. Boitmann.
