Six Men Charged with Violations of Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Narcotics Laws in Twenty-Two Count Indictment

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TERRANCE MORGAN, age 25, of New Orleans, RICHARD GREEN, a/k/a “Blue,” a/k/a “Bam,” age 28, of New Orleans, KENDALL CELESTINE, age 20, of New Orleans, and ERIC ROBINSON, age 26, of New Orleans, MARVIN ARMSTRONG, age 52, of New Orleans and PATRICK SCHEXNAYDER, a/k/a “Pat,” a/k/a “Red,” age 27, of New Orleans, were indicted on August 23rd by a federal grand jury.

The charging document alleges that, MORGAN, GREEN, CELESTINE, ROBINSON, ARMSTRONG, and SCHEXNAYDER conspired to distribute heroin between at least June 2014, and July 11, 2018.  MORGAN, GREEN, CELESTINE, ROBINSON, and SCHEXNAYDER were charged with conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.  If convicted of this charge, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment of 5 to 40 years, a fine of up to $5 million, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  ARMSTRONG was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of heroin.  If convicted of this charge, he faces a term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The indictment also alleges that MORGAN, GREEN, CELESTINE, and ROBINSON conspired to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime during the same time period.  If convicted of this count, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  In addition, MORGAN, GREEN, CELESTINE, and ROBINSON were each charged with substantive counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.  If convicted of this offense, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment of 5 years to life, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. 

The indictment also charges MORGAN, GREEN, ROBINSON, and SCHEXNAYDER, convicted felons, with illegally possessing firearms. If convicted on these charges, MORGAN, GREEN, ROBINSON, and SCHEXNAYDER each face a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. GREEN is charged with six counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin, and ARMSTRONG is charged with one count of distribution of a quantity of heroin.  If convicted of these charges, GREEN and ARMSTRONG face, as to each count, a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  GREEN, and ROBINSON are charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and MDMA, and MORGAN and CELESTINE are charged with possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I controlled substance called “U-47700.”  If convicted of these crimes, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. 

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni and Matthew R. Payne are in charge of the prosecution.

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