Forty-One Charged with Illegal Trafficking, Possession, and Use of Firearms, Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy Offenses as a Result of Summer Violent Crime Reduction Effort “Operation Big Easy” in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Today, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans joined federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to announce that 41 individuals were charged with firearms-trafficking, narcotics, conspiracy, or other firearms offenses after a three-month, summertime violent-crime-reduction initiative in New Orleans. Operation Big Easy was a National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) enforcement initiative of collected firearm casings for the time period of August 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023 that produced data points of high-density shootings and homicides in seven areas of New Orleans related to individuals engaged in criminal activity.  The vast majority of these individuals were charged in United States District Court, while the rest were charged in state court.  They were apprehended in a series of coordinated arrests made during the last two weeks.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Special Agent in Charge Bradley L. Byerly and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams provided additional details relating to the initiative, as well as other narcotics and violence-prevention efforts.

Indictments and complaints were recently unsealed in federal court. They detail a lengthy ATF- led investigation, that focused on reducing firearms-related crime in several areas of New Orleans. These areas were selected after studying gun-crime violence data and then identifying illegal firearms sellers in an effort to disrupt their trafficking. Overall, this operation resulted in the seizure and permanent removal of approximately 71 firearms and from New Orleans’ streets. The firearms seized or purchased firearms included stolen firearms, firearms with obliterated serial numbers, “switches,” already-loaded firearms, assault rifles, and firearms previously used to commit violent crimes.  NIBIN data showed that a number of those firearms were connected to violent criminal activity, including homicides and felonious assaults, that occurred in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast areas in 2022 and 2023. Of the purchased firearms, six contained machinegun conversion devices or “switches”—a device that enables a firearm to fire in fully automatic mode.

Some of these individuals also sold controlled substances to law enforcement. Many of these sales took place in public parking lots of business establishments during business hours or in recreational areas in close proximity to law-abiding citizens engaged in their daily errands or recreational activities. During this investigation, law enforcement purchased or seized over 2 kilograms of fentanyl/heroin mix, over one-half kilogram of cocaine and cocaine base, and over one-half kilogram of methamphetamine.  Some defendants were charged together, but several others were charged individually.  In all cases, however, these charges stemmed from the extensive, targeted, and sustained effort over the summer. This effort was led by ATF and assisted by other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and designed to reduce both illegal firearms trafficking, use, and possession, and the distribution of drugs in New Orleans.

“The dozens of charges and arrests announced today represent what federal, state, and local law enforcement can accomplish when we work hand-in-hand to take violent criminals and trigger-pullers off our streets,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “When we harness the Justice Department’s resources and technology — especially crime-gun intelligence from ATF’s NIBIN network — we are able to identify and arrest the culprits of gun violence and safeguard our communities. Across the country, our towns and cities are safer because of the dedication and bravery of federal agents and their state and local partners, and the 21st century crime-solving tools DOJ is able to provide.”

“For months, incredibly brave ATF agents and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners have been investigating violent criminals who have terrorized New Orleans,” said ATF Director Steve Dettelbach. “The results are now clear: dozens of arrests; scores of seized firearms, including guns previously used in crimes; recoveries of stolen guns and guns with obliterated serial numbers; and the seizure of deadly machine gun conversion devices.  All done better than ever using crime gun intelligence to catch the worst of the worst.  ATF commits to continue using and sharing its intelligence with our courageous partners around the country to further drive down violent crime."

”Many thanks to all of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their invaluable efforts, unrelenting vigilance, and selfless contributions to the Operation Big Easy Initiative,” said United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. “When we work together and share information, good results occur. “To our community, rest assured that we will continue to combat violent crime throughout the Eastern District of Louisiana.  Every resource and every force multiplier we possess, will be used to accomplish that goal.”

“This investigative initiative is an excellent example of the ATF-led Crime Gun Unit, working together with federal, state and local partners through the US Attorney’s Office, making impact in reducing, preventing, and solving violent gun in our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson.  “Holding those accountable who further violent gun crime makes our communities safer.”

The following is a breakdown of the charges in United States District Court, according to court documents:

• MICHAEL LOTT, age 49, DIANTA TROPEZ, age 29, VERNELL WOODARD, age 40, QUINDELE ADDISON, age 47, SHEENA RUDOLPH, age 40, and CORIS ADDISON, age 23, were charged on September 22, 2023, in a superseding indictment.

QUINDELE ADDISON, WOODARD, RUDOLPH, and TROPEZ were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

TROPEZ, WOODARD, and QUINDELE ADDISON were further charged with distribution of methamphetamine. 

LOTT, TROPEZ, and WOODARD were charged with conspiracy and robbery of a person of money belonging to the United States. 

LOTT, TROPEZ, and WOODARD were charged with brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assaulting an officer of the United States with a deadly weapon.

LOTT, TROPEZ, and QUINDELE ADDISON were charged, individually, with being felons in possession of firearms.  

QUINDELE ADDISON was charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

QUINDELE ADDISON and WOODARD were charged, jointly, with maintaining a drug involved premises.

• RASHAD MONTAGUE, age 32, was charged October 10, 2023, via complaint, with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

• DAWUD BARNES, age 22, was indicted October 6, 2023, for possession and transfer of a machine gun.

• KEVIN DAVIS, age 43, and WILLIAM GRACE, age 45, were indicted October 5, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl.

• ANTHONY DOYLE, age 40, and CARLOS GUILLEN, age 43, were indicted October 12, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl.

• DEVIN HILLIARD, age 47, and STERING PIPKINS, age 39, were indicted October 12, 2023, for violating the federal controlled substances act and the federal gun control acts. HILLIARD was also charged with distribution of cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm. PIPKINS was also charged with distribution of cocaine.

• JOSHUA HOGAN, age 35, was indicted September 29, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl.

• DAYSHAWN BROWN, age 39, was indicted October 12, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

• MICHAEL LEWIS, age 36, was indicted October 6, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl/heroin/cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.

• TROY LOCKE, age 34, was indicted September 8, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• JUNIOR ALEXANDER MONCADA-VARGAS, age 34, was indicted September 29, 2023, for possession and transfer of a machine gun and for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

• LUIS MORALES, age 33, TYRONE WHITTINGTON, age 38, and DANIEL BECK, age 43, were indicted October 5, 2023, for distribution of methamphetamine. MORALES was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. WHITTINGTON was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• TOMMY NASH, age 50 and LOREALL GORDEN, age 38, were indicted September 22, 2023, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of fentanyl.

• RODNEY OFFRAY, age 49, was indicted September 22, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl and heroin.

• JAMAR HOLMES, age 34, was indicted October 5, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl and cocaine and sale of a stolen firearm.

• KENNAN ALEXIS, age 47, was indicted October 5, 2023, for distribution of fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• DAMERON CARMON, age 45, were charged October 20, 2023, via complaint with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

• DANIEL SMITH, age 55, were charged October 20, 2023, via complaint with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The following is a breakdown of the charges in Orleans Criminal District Court, according to court documents: 

• JOHNNY MILTON, age 42, Drug Trafficking. 
• BRANDON ADIAR, age 49, Drug Trafficking. 
• KENNETH TYLER, age 46, Drug Trafficking. 
• BRANDON JACKSON, age 33, Drug Trafficking. 
• CALVIN SMITH, age 44, Drug Trafficking. 
• CORDERO JOHNSON, age 35, Drug Trafficking. 
• ERNEST CLOUD, age 29, Drug Trafficking. 
• LC NIXON, age 33, Drug Trafficking.
• CIERRA CRAIG, age 34, Drug Trafficking.
• ORMOND KING, age 31, Drug Trafficking.
• ZED JONES, age 32, Illegal Possession of a Firearm

An indictment or complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictments was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD), the Louisiana State Police (“LSP”), the United States Marshals Service (“USMS”), the City of New Orleans Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, and the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Also, many thanks to the New Orleans Emergency Management Service and Crimestoppers, GNO. This Operation was also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. The cases stemming from this investigation are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.

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