Jefferson Parish Man Pleads Guilty for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Drug Premises

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –On May 18, 2023, NGHIA LE (“LE”), age 37, of Westwego, pleaded guilty as charged to all counts with which he was charged in a superseding indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Count 1 charged LE with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. Count 3 charged LE with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 18 U.S.C § 2. Count 4 charged LE with distribution of methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 18 U.S.C § 2. Count 8 charged LE with using or maintaining a drug premises in violation of 21 U.S.C § 856(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C § 2. Count 9 charged LE with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D). Count 10 charged LE with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2. Count 11 charged LE with distribution of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D).

According to public records, LE utilized a motorcycle shop in New Orleans East to distribute methamphetamine on numerous occasions in 2021. LE sold over a pound and a half of methamphetamine to undercover agents and agreed to sell an additional 5 pounds of methamphetamine before he was arrested. Additionally, in 2020, LE also possessed over 45 pounds of marijuana, along with 5 firearms, intending to use those firearms to sell the marijuana. 

As to Counts 1, 3, and 4, the minimum penalty includes a term of imprisonment of 10 years up to a maximum term of life, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least 5 years of supervised release.

As to Count 8, the maximum penalty includes a term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine up to $500,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release.

As to Counts 9 and 11, the maximum penalty includes a term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine up to $250,000 and at least 2 years of supervised release.

As to Count 10, the minimum penalty includes a term of imprisonment of 5 years, a maximum term of life, a fine up to $250,000 and up to 5 years of supervised release.

As to each count, LE faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit handled the prosecution.