New Orleans Man Sentenced For Fentanyl and Firearm Related Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEAN DEAN (“DEAN”), a/k/a “Lips,” age 41, of New Orleans, was sentenced on June 10, 2025 by U.S. District Judge Greg G. Guidry to 322 months incarceration after previously pleading guilty to Counts 2 through 4 of the superseding indictment pending against him.  Judge Guidry ordered that DEAN be placed on supervised release for five (5) years following his release from imprisonment and also ordered DEAN to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Count 2 charged DEAN with possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1),(b)(1)(A). Count 3 charged DEAN with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  Count 4 charged DEAN with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

On June 24, 2022, in the early morning hours, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force (“NOGTF”) conducted a court ordered search at DEAN’s residence in New Orleans.  Among the evidentiary items located during the search, were four (4) firearms and approximately 862 grams of fentanyl, described more particularly below:

1. An American Tactical .223/5.56 AR pistol, with a loaded extended magazine containing approximately forty live .223 rounds, seized from the laundry room of the residence.
   1. An American tactical .223/5.56 AR pistol, containing a live round in the chamber, and a loaded magazine containing approximately twenty-eight live .223 rounds, seized from the laundry room of the residence.
   2. A Glock 43, nine-millimeter handgun, containing a live nine- millimeter round in the chamber, and a loaded magazine containing approximately seven live rounds, seized from the master bedroom closet.
   3. A Glock 17, nine- millimeter handgun, containing a live nine- millimeter round in the chamber, and a loaded extended magazine containing approximately thirty live rounds, seized from the attic.
   4. Approximately 800 grams of fentanyl was seized from both the attic, and the master bedroom.

In addition to the fentanyl, members of the NOGTF seized mannitol, digital scales and packaging material, which DEAN was using to process and package fentanyl for distribution.  DEAN admitted that all of the drugs and guns were his.

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 track 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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New Orleans Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crimes Unit.