Louisianan Man Faces Up to Life in Prison and $15.75 Million in Fines After Pleading Guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Drug Premises
New Orleans, Louisiana, Louisiana – A Louisianan man is facing up to life in prison and $15.75 Million in fines after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug premises.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Ryan Negrotto, a 43-year-old resident of New Orleans, Louisiana has pleaded guilty to all charges listed in an updated indictment in federal court on July 7, 2023.
Negrotto was accused on count 1 of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, a charge that goes against the legal codes 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.
In counts 2 and 3, Negrotto has been charged with two counts of distributing and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, in violation of federal statutes 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 18 U.S.C § 2. Additionally, in count 4 Negrotto is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine, in violation of federal statutes 21 U.S.C §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 18 U.S.C § 2.
Count 5 and Count 7 accused Negrotto of having a firearm to help with a drug trafficking crime, which goes against the law stated in 18 U.S.C § 924(c)(1)(A)(i).
Count 6 charged Negrotto with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
Count 8 accused Negrotto of breaking the law by using or managing a location for drug-related activities, as per the statutes 21 U.S.C § 856(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C § 2.
Regarding Counts 1, 3, 4, and 6, Negrotto could potentially be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of a lifelong term, along with a fine reaching $10 million. Additionally, they would be required to undergo at least 5 years of supervised release.
Regarding Count 2, Negrotto has the possibility of being imprisoned for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years. In addition, they could be subjected to a fine of up to $5 million and a minimum of 4 years of supervised release.
For Counts 5 and 7, Negrotto could potentially be sentenced to a minimum of 5 years in prison or a maximum of life imprisonment. Additionally, there is a possibility of a fine up to $250,000 and a period of supervised release lasting up to 5 years.
In regards to Count 8, Negrotto could potentially receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, and be subject to 3 years of supervised release.
Regarding each accusation, Negrotto is obligated to pay a compulsory special assessment fee of $100.00.
This case belongs to Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that combines law enforcement at all levels and the communities they serve to decrease violent crime and gun violence, creating safer neighborhoods for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department introduced a strategy to enhance PSN, focusing on building trust and legitimacy within communities, supporting organizations that work to prevent violence, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and measuring the outcomes.
The investigation of the case was conducted by various law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution is being carried out by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel from the Violent Crime Unit.