Louisiana Man Faces Up to Life in Prison After Pleading to Possessing 2 lbs of Methamphetamine, Gun Charges, and Assaulting a Federal Officer

New Orleans, Louisiana – A Louisiana man faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty to possessing 2 lbs of methamphetamine, gun charges, and assaulting a federal officer.

On Monday, March 6, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Joshua Bogen, age 31, a resident of Houma, Louisiana, pled guilty on March 1, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a drug trafficking offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), and assaulting a federal officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(b).

On October 18, 2021, DEA agents obtained information that Bogen, a convicted criminal, would be bringing roughly two pounds of crystal methamphetamine from Houma, Louisiana to a location on Pauger Street in New Orleans to complete a drug sale, according to court filings. Bogen exited his vehicle at the Pauger Street residence carrying a large bag containing 1009.9 grams (2 lbs, 3 oz) of pure methamphetamine and a Glock Model 26 Gen 4, nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun with a bullet in the chamber. The DEA agents then activated the flashing blue lights on their surveillance unit and began exiting the vehicle. Bogen grabbed his firearm and pointed it squarely at one of the agents as soon as an agent opened their door.
Agents took shelter at the back of the vehicle, and one shot was fired in the direction of Bogen. Bogen, who was not injured, instantly surrendered and threw the weapon and a large bag of methamphetamine over the fence adjacent to the residence’s driveway.

Bogen faces a required minimum sentence of ten years in prison, up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any period of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. For brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a drug trafficking offense, Bogen faces a statutory minimum sentence of seven years of imprisonment, up to life, to run consecutively with any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. For being a felon in possession of a firearm, Bogen faces up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release. Bogen faces up to twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release for assaulting a federal officer. Bogen faces an obligatory special assessment fee of $100 for each of the four counts.

The Drug Enforcement Agency looked into this case. Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Section is in charge of the prosecution.