New Orleans Man Guilty of Federal Firearm and Drug Trafficking Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on December 4, 2025, DAVID SCOTT (SCOTT), age 22 from New Orleans, pled guilty to Counts One and Two of an indictment. Count One charged SCOTT with possession with the intent to distribute Tapentadol, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). As to Count One, SCOTT faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,00,000 fine, at least three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. Count Two charged SCOTT with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §924(c)(1)(A)(i). As to Count Two, SCOTT faces a minimum of five years up to life imprisonment, to run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to five years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. SCOTT’s sentencing is set for March 12, 2026.

According to court documents, on August 3, 2023, a New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) detective conducted surveillance on a convenience store/gas station in New Orleans and saw a black male exit a burgundy Kia sedan, dressed in a yellow hoodie. This raised suspicion as New Orleans was under an excessive heat advisory and the temperature was 95 degrees. The detective could see on the surveillance that the suspect had and noticed a bulge in the hoodie he wore that he was suspiciously clutching.

The suspect, later identified as DAVID SCOTT, re-entered the Kia sedan and as officers approached him, they noticed a handgun with a drum magazine on the driver’s seat. Officers secured the gun and placed SCOTT under arrest. A search incident to his arrest revealed 15 packs of Tapentadol, totaling 148 pills, and $1,315 in U.S. currency.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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