New Orleans Men Guilty of Conspiracy, Distribution of Fentanyl and Machinegun Possession

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSEPH MILLER ("MILLER"), age 21, and KENNETH TURNER ("TURNER"), age 37, residents of New Orleans, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk on October 2 and October 9, 2024, respectively.

MILLER pled to five counts of distributing various quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). MILLER also pled to possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2).

TURNER pled to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).

According to court documents, MILLER made five distributions of fentanyl and methamphetamine to undercover agents and a confidential informant with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF"). TURNER conspired with MILLER to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, the fentanyl and methamphetamine MILLER sold to ATF agents and, furthered the conspiracy, by supplying the drugs to MILLER to sell. MILLER also negotiated with an ATF undercover agent to sell a privately made semi-automatic pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device, that turned this firearm into a fully automatic machinegun. The firearm was recovered by ATF agents during a search of MILLER's residence.

As to his convictions for distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, MILLER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 40 years in prison, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release as to each count. As to his conviction for possession of a machinegun, hefaces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.

For his conspiracy conviction, TURNER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 40 years in prison, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release.

Each individual count against MILLER and TURNER also mandates payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.