Chalmette Man Sentenced After Pleading Guilty To Drug Conspiracy and Firearms Offenses

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office, EDLA announced that U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced CHRIS WELLS, age 35, of Chalmette, Louisiana, to 240 months imprisonment and 8 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to several drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute one hundred grams or more of heroin.  WELLS also pled guilty to firearms offenses, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, In March of 2017, members of the NOPD/HIDTA Task Force received information from a source of information that three individuals, including WELLS, were heroin distributors in the area of Mandeville Street and Derbigny Street in New Orleans.  Based on that information, officers conducted surveillance in that area.

On Thursday April 13, 2017, officers observed WELLS conduct hand-to-hand narcotics transactions in the area of Mandeville Street and Derbigny Street.  Afterward, officers observed WELLS drive to his residence at 406 E. Liberaux Street in Chalmette, Louisiana, then return to North Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans where he picked up an individual.  After observing WELLS drive in a manner as if to avoid being followed, officers suspected that WELLS conducted a narcotics transaction with the individual.  

After the individual exited WELLS’ vehicle, he attempted to flee from the officers but fell and spilled approximately an ounce of heroin he purchased from WELLS.  Officers arrested the individual and seized additional heroin from his pockets. 

Officers and DEA Special Agents obtained a search warrant for WELLS’ residence.  During the search, officers and agents seized approximately 33 grams of crack cocaine, 70 grams of heroin, and a semi-automatic pistol.

Through further investigation, officers learned that WELLS and his associates used one telephone to conduct heroin transactions.  Customers would call the one telephone number and WELLS or his associates would conduct the sale. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Orleans Police Department, and the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys André Jones and Nicholas D. Moses were in charge of the prosecution.

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