38-Year-Old Louisiana Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury For Trafficking Methamphetamine and Fentanyl and Firearms Charges
New Orleans, Louisiana – A 38-year-old Louisiana man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl, and firearms.
On May 18, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Jonath Williamson, Jr., age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on March 31, 2023, in a four-count indictment.
In count 1, Williamson is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). In count 2, Williamson is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). In count 3, Williamson is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). In count 4, Williamson is charged with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(k).
If convicted in count 1, Williamson faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. If Williamson is convicted in count 2, he faces a required minimum term of five years to life in prison, to run consecutively with all other sentences, a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. If convicted of Count 3, Williamson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. If convicted of Count 4, Williamson faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Williamson must pay a $100 special assessment fee for each count.
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 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 Investigations and the New Orleans Police Department investigated the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crimes Unit.