Louisiana Man Indicted for Gun and Drug Trafficking Offenses in Connection with Marijuana, Tramadol, and Tapentadol

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Published September 25, 2022

Louisiana Man Indicted for Gun and Drug Trafficking Offenses in Connection with Marijuana, Tramadol, and Tapentadol

New Orleans, Louisiana – Lance Stevens, age 26, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged on September 22, 2022, in a six-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

Stevens is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and tramadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(D), and 841(b)(1)(E). In Count 2, Stevens is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). In Count 3, Stevens is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

Stevens is charged in Count 4 with possession with intent to distribute tapentadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). In Count 5, Stevens is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). In Count 6, Stevens is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

On Count 1, Stevens faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, at least two years of supervised release for marijuana trafficking, at least one year of supervised release for tramadol trafficking, and a $100 obligatory special assessment charge. In relation to Count 4, Stevens faces a potential term of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, at least three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment charge.

On Counts 2 and 5, Stevens faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years to life imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently with all other sentences, a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment charge. For Counts 3 and 6, Stevens faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment cost of $100.

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 Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. The prosecution is led by Assistant US Attorneys David Berman and Rachal Cassagne.