24-Year-Old Louisiana Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking Involving Cocaine and Fentanyl, and Firearms Offenses

New Orleans, Louisiana – A 24-year-old Louisiana man has been indicted for drug trafficking involving cocaine and fentanyl, and firearms offenses.

Emanuel Ross, age 24, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on Friday, February 24, 2023, in a three-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Drug Control Acts.

Ross is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); in Count 2 with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); and in Count 3 with possession of a machinegun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o). Count 2 of the indictment alleges that Ross possessed 10 different guns in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.

For Count 1, Ross faces a potential sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release. For Count 2, Ross faces a consecutive sentence of imprisonment ranging from 5 years to life, to be served consecutively with any other term imposed, a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release. For Count 3, Ross stands up to a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. Finally, Ross must pay a $100 special assessment fee for each count.

U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that the indictment is only a charge and that the defendant's guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve together to minimize violent crime and gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy to strengthen PSN on May 26, 2021, based on the following core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department investigated the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Violent Crimes Unit.