New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - TRAVIS JACKSON ("JACKSON"), age 34, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 6, 2024, before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion, to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a gun, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made several controlled purchases of drugs from JACKSON and his co-defendant. The FBI then conducted wire intercepts of two phones belonging to the co-defendant. During the wiretaps, the FBI heard multiple calls related to drug trafficking, including calls with buyers, calls with other larger-scale dealers, and calls warning other dealers of police activity. The FBI later executed search warrants, arresting the co-defendant with a gun and fentanyl and, also, arresting JACKSON with a gun. JACKSON's prior felony convictions prohibit him from possessing a firearm.

Judge Papillion set sentencing for November 12, 2024. On the drug conspiracy count, JACKSON faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000 and, at least four years of supervised release. On the felon in possession of a firearm count, JACKSON faces a maximum of fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. As to each count, he also faces 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.