Eastside Hollygrove Resident Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Violations

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DWAYNE LABRANCH, a/k/a “Mondo,” a/k/a “Black,” age 35, of New Orleans, pled guilty on June 18 to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl; one count of conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; and one count of discharging a firearm in a school zone. 

On LABRANCH’s drug conspiracy count, LABRANCH is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life, a possible fine of up to $8,000,000, and at least eight years of supervised release upon his release from prison.  On the firearm conspiracy count, LABRANCH is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than three years of supervised release.  On the discharging a firearm in a school zone count, LABRANCH is facing a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $100,000, and not more than one year of supervised release. 

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance will sentence LABRANCH on October 3, 2018.

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 Evans praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGFT), which led this investigation and was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Police Department, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon S. Long, David Haller, and Edward Rivera are in charge of the prosecution.