Westbank Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – BRANDON JOHNSON, a/k/a, Brandon Smith, age 32, a resident of Jefferson Parish, pled guilty on January 18, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to Counts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged JOHNSON with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Count 2 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18 USC § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Count 3 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and cocaine, in violation of Title 21 USC § 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). Count 5 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18 USC § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Count 6 charged him with the illegal possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18 USC § 922(o). Count 7 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21 USC § 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and (D). The sentencing will be held on April 25, 2024.

Based on his guilty plea, JOHNSON will face the following sentences as to each count:

As to Count 1, JOHNSON will face a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than 5 years  up to a maximum of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. Any jail sentence imposed in connection with Count 1 must be consecutive to any other count. He will also face up to five years of supervised release.

As to Count 2, JOHNSON will face up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

As to Count 3, JOHNSON faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine, and a term of supervised release of not less than three years up to life.

As to Count 5, JOHNSON faces up to 10 years in prison, up to  a $250,000.00 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

As to Count 6,  JOHNSON will face up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

As to Count 7, JOHNSON  faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine, and a term of supervised release of not less than three years up to life.

Additionally, as to each charged count, JOHNSON faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

On February 21, 2021, Jefferson Parish Deputies stopped JOHNSON in his vehicle for a traffic violation and saw marijuana in his car. Deputies then searched JOHNSON and found additional drugs. They then searched his car, found MDMA pills and a gun and arrested him. A subsequent jail search of JOHNSON uncovered approximately 90 pieces of crack cocaine (approximately 12 grams) in his possession. 

While JOHNSON was out on bond after his arrest, Jefferson Parish narcotics detectives saw JOHNSON conducting hand to hand drug transactions and arrested him. A post-arrest search of  JOHNSON, plus two vehicles in his possession and his two cell phones, revealed methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, a gun with a Glock switch as well as photos of Glock Switches, drugs, money, and guns.

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.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr of the Narcotics Unit.