New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges and Heroin Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that RICHARD GREEN age 29, of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to six counts of federal firearms and narcotics charges.

According to court documents, GREEN conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one hundred grams or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(B) and 846.  GREEN also conspired with others to possess firearms in furtherance of the heroin conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o).  On July 25, 2017, GREEN and a co-defendant possessed two firearms with extended magazines in a vehicle, even though they were both convicted felons, in violation of 922(g)(1), and 924(a)(2).   On April 3, 2018, GREEN also possessed two firearms, along with MDMA and heroin, in a hotel room in Houma, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i), and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C).

The Court set sentencing in this matter for March 7, 2019.  GREEN faces, as to count one of the indictment, a minimum of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of $5,000,000, at least four years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.  As to count two, GREEN faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of  $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.  As to counts thirteen and twenty, GREEN faces, as to each count,  a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment for each count.  As to count nineteen, GREEN faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.  As to count twenty-one, GREEN faces a minimum of five years imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, up to five years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.  The term of imprisonment for this count must be consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U. S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Orleans Police Department Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni and Matthew R. Payne.

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