New Orleans Man Sentenced to 180 Months Imprisonment for Violations of Federal Controlled Substances and Federal Gun Control Acts

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on, October 26, 2023, United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced DEREK NOLAN, a/k/a “Pop,” age 28, a resident of New Orleans, to 180 months imprisonment, following NOLAN’s guilty plea to an eleven-count superseding bill of information.

According to court documents, a confidential source working with law enforcement identified NOLAN as a drug distributor.  Law enforcement officers used the confidential source to conduct numerous controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine from NOLAN.  During the investigation, a search warrant was executed at NOLAN’s residence.  Two firearms, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were recovered.  Since NOLAN is a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms. 

In Count 1, NOLAN was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of  methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C); all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.

In Counts 2 and 3, NOLAN was charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

In Counts 4 and 5, NOLAN was charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

In Counts 6, 8, and 9, NOLAN was charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, and distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

In Count 7, NOLAN was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, that is, distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i). 

In Count 10, NOLAN was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). 

In Count 11, NOLAN was charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offense, that is, conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of  methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i). 

As it relates to Counts 1 through 6, 8, 9, and 10, NOLAN was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment.  As to Counts 7 and 11, NOLAN was sentenced to 60 months   for each count, to run consecutively with each other, resulting in a 120 month sentence.  Additionally, the 60-month sentence imposed for Counts 1 through 6, 8, 9, and 10, was ordered to run consecutive to the 120-month sentence.  NOLAN will be placed on supervised release for 3 years following his term of imprisonment.  NOLAN must also pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $1,100.00.

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.