New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DARNELL DOUCET (“DOUCET”), age 26, was charged on December 5, 2024, in a four-count indictment, with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts.

DOUCET is charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, tapentadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. He is charged in Count 2 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, tapentadol, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D).  He is charged in Count 3 with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  He is charged in Count 4 with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

According to court documents, on September 24, 2024, DOUCET possessed cocaine, tapentadol, and marijuana with the intent to distribute those substances, and possessed four firearms in furtherance of that drug-trafficking crime: a Zastava Model ZPAP92, 7.62 caliber semi-automatic pistol; a Palmetto State Armory Model PA-15, multi-caliber semi-automatic pistol; a Glock Model 27, 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and a Glock Model 48, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol.

As to each of the drug trafficking charges in Counts 1 and 2, DOUCET faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release.  As to the charge of possessing a firearm, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in Count 3, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, which is to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.  As to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm in Count 4, he faces up to 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.