Houma Man Charged With Federal Firearm and Drug Charges

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment on July 10, 2020 against defendant DONOVAN D. CLAY a/k/a “Donavan D. Clay,” a/k/a “Pluto,” age 27, of Houma, LA, for distribution of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1)(C) (Counts 1-2); possession with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1)(B) (Count 3); and possession of a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) (Count 4).

If convicted for a violation of either Count 1 or 2, CLAY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years and a fine of not more than $1,000,000, at least three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.  For Count 3, CLAY faces a minimum of five (5) years up to maximum of forty (40) years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $5,000,000, at least four (4) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.  For Count 4, CLAY faces a maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000, up to three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.

United States Attorney Strasser reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This matter was handled by Homeland Security Investigations and the Houma Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Duane A. Evans is prosecuting the matter.