Mother and Son Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JERAD M. BARRETT (“BARRETT”),  age 40, and JENNIE L. JAMES (“JAMES”), age 67, both of New Orleans,  pled guilty on August 28, 2024, before United States District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle.  Specifically, BARRETT pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fifty (50) kilograms or more of marijuana, two counts of possession with intent to distribute, fifty (50) kilograms or more of marijuana, and maintaining a drug-involved premises, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), 846, and 856(a)(1). JAMES pled guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 856(a)(1), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

After receiving information regarding BARRETT’s narcotics distribution activity and conducting an investigation, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, recovered approximately 940 kilograms of marijuana in both his residence and multiple storage units.  Agents also uncovered communications between JAMES and BARRETT related to distribution, packaging, and relocation of narcotics within the Eastern District of Louisiana.

BARRETT and JAMES are scheduled to be sentenced on December 11, 2024.  For conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, BARRETT faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least five (3) years of supervised release.  For maintaining a drug-involved premises, BARRETT and JAMES each face up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $500,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release.  As to each charge, both BARRETT and JAMES face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.