New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KENNETH MUSE, age 24, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on March 9, 2023, before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts. 

According to court records, MUSE admitted to being arrested after fleeing from Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies on a dirt bike for possessing a machinegun and tramadol pills he was selling. The gun MUSE possessed had been equipped with a “Glock switch,” transforming the normally semi-automatic pistol into fully automatic. MUSE admitted possessing the tramadol with the intent to distribute, that he possessed the gun in furtherance of drug trafficking, and that he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. 

Sentencing is set for June 13, 2023. On the drug offense, MUSE faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and at least 1 year of supervised release. On the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, MUSE faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to life imprisonment which must run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 5 years of supervised release. On the felon in possession of a firearm count, MUSE faces up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement, MUSE and the government agreed that a sentence of 15 years was an appropriate disposition of the case. 

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.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.