Louisiana Felon Pleads Guilty in Connection with Possession of  2+ Pounds of Fentanyl, Firearms, and $120k in Cash

New Orleans, Louisiana – A Louisiana felon has pleaded guilty in a case in connection with possessing more than two pounds of fentanyl, firearms, and $120,000 in cash.

Wayne Handy, age 29, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, Handy sold heroin/fentanyl to an FBI confidential source. These controlled purchases, along with other evidence, resulted in a federal complaint charging Handy, as well as a search of Handy's residences and vehicles in the spring of 2021. During the searches, agents discovered approximately $120,000 in cash, two firearms, and approximately one kilogram of fentanyl. Handy pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A), as well as possessing a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g) (1).

The sentencing date has been set for May 25, 2023, by Judge Barbier. On the drug charge, Handy faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release. On the gun charge, Handy faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Handy will be required to pay a $100 special assessment fee on both counts.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation looked into the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller of the United States Attorney's Office's Violent Crime Unit.