New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ASHTON CAUSEY, age 22, a resident of  Orleans Parish,  pled guilty on January 19, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion to Counts 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged CAUSEY  with the illegal possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18 USC § 922(o). Count 3 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D). Counts 4 and 7 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and marijuana, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) and (D). Count 5 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Count 8 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 924(c).   

Based on his guilty plea, CAUSEY will face the following sentences as to each count:

As to Count 1,  CAUSEY faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and up to years of supervised release. .

As to Count 3, CAUSEY faces up to 5 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and up to years of supervised release.

As to Counts 4 and 7, CAUSEY faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine, and up to years of supervise release.   

As to Count 5, CAUSEY faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine , and up to years of supervised release.   

As to Count 8, CAUSEY faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to a maximum of life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine , and up to years of supervise release. Any jail sentence imposed in connection with Count 8 must be served consecutive to any other count. 

Additionally, as to each charged count, CAUSEY faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

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 was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr of the Narcotics Unit.