New Orleans Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearm Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that CALEB PUNCH (“PUNCH”), age 32 of New Orleans, was sentenced on January 30, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter after previously pleading guilty to (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C), one (1) count of Possession of Firearms during a Drug Trafficking Offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), and one (1) count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

Judge Vitter sentenced PUNCH to 120 months of imprisonment on the drug distribution charge, and 60 months, to run consecutive to the 120 months, on the firearms charge, for a total sentence of 180 months imprisonment. Judge Vitter also ordered PUNCH to serve 4 years of supervised release after release from prison, as well as payment of a $300 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to the indictment, after the execution of multiple search warrants, large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and LSD, along with firearms, a .22 caliber Bearman Model CL22L, and a nine-millimeter Smith and Wesson Model MP9, were located in the residence maintained and used by PUNCH to distribute various narcotics.  PUNCH is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.

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.

United States Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.