New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that GEOURVON SEARS ("SEARS"), age 26, of New Orleans, was indicted on June 14, 2024 for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts. The court unsealed the indictment on June 26, 2024.

According to the indictment, SEARS is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, tapentadol, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D). He is charged in Count 2 with possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

As to the drug trafficking charges in Count 1, SEARS faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. As to the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in Count 2, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life in prison, which is to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

According to court documents, on or about June 6, 2024, SEARS allegedly possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, tapentadol, and marijuana within the Eastern District of Louisiana. SEARS also allegedly illegally possessed a Romarm/Cugir Model Mini Draco semi-automatic pistol and a Norinco Model SKS rifle, in furtherance of his possession with intent to distribute those drugs.

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

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 and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.