New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Misprision of a Felony

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BYRONEISHA BUTLER, pled guilty on October 4, 2023 to a bill of information, charging her with Misprision of a Felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4,  before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.   

According to court records, between January 2019 and December 16, 2021, BUTLER, having knowledge of the commission of a felony, specifically conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, did conceal the same by deleting pictures and text messages from her phone at a co-conspirator’s request, attempting to delete pictures and text messages from the co-conspirators phone, and attempting to conceal the co-conspirator's identity and involvement in a crime, from law enforcement.   

BUTLER faces a maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 1 year of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  BUTLER’s sentencing is scheduled for January 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

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.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit and Elizabeth Privitera, Chief of the Violent Crime Unit.