NOLA Duo Caught with Machine Gun, Facing Decades in Federal Prison

New Orleans is no stranger to gun violence and drug dealing, but the case of Donell Barthelemey and Michael Brooks takes the heat up a notch. Federal agents raided a location in the city on August 13, 2025, and uncovered a dangerous cocktail: narcotics and enough firepower to turn a street corner into a warzone. The pair now face a mountain of federal charges that could lock them away for the better part of their lives.

Donell Barthelemey, 22, and Michael Brooks, 30, are accused of running a small-time drug operation peddling marijuana and the powerful opioid tapentadol. But they weren’t just slinging dope, according to federal prosecutors. The feds allege they were protecting their illicit business with illegally modified firearms, including a Glock handgun converted into a fully automatic machine gun – a weapon that’s strictly prohibited under federal law. U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle unsealed the eight-count indictment on February 6, 2026, detailing the charges and laying out the potential consequences.

The indictment reveals the core of the case: conspiracy to distribute narcotics and possession of illegal firearms. Barthelemey and Brooks are charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing marijuana and tapentadol with the clear intention of selling it. The charges don’t specify the quantity of drugs seized, but any amount intended for distribution triggers serious penalties. The real kicker, however, is the machine gun. Modifying a semi-automatic pistol to fire fully automatically isn’t just illegal; it’s a federal felony carrying a mandatory minimum sentence. The feds will likely argue the converted Glock demonstrates a clear intent to engage in violent criminal activity.

Brooks, already a career criminal, faces the added weight of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Louisiana law, like many states, prohibits those with prior felony convictions from owning or possessing guns. This isn’t his first rodeo with the law. Court records show Brooks has a lengthy rap sheet, including convictions for first-degree robbery, aggravated battery, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Barthelemey’s history isn’t spotless either; he previously pled guilty to negligent homicide, a charge that will undoubtedly be brought up during sentencing to demonstrate a pattern of reckless disregard for the law. Both men were already walking on thin ice, and this bust could be the thing that finally breaks them.

If convicted on the drug trafficking counts alone, both Barthelemey and Brooks could face up to 20 years in federal prison, a $1 million fine, and a minimum of three years of supervised release after serving their time. But the firearms charges significantly escalate the stakes. The conspiracy to distribute drugs using firearms carries another potential 20-year sentence. And being a convicted felon illegally possessing a gun adds another 15 years to the potential penalty. The machine gun charge, however, is the biggest threat – a conviction could easily add another decade or more to their sentences, pushing the total possible prison time well beyond 50 years.

Federal prosecutors will likely emphasize the danger posed by a converted machine gun on the streets of New Orleans, a city already grappling with high rates of gun violence. They’ll paint a picture of Barthelemey and Brooks as reckless individuals willing to endanger the public for profit. Defense attorneys, meanwhile, will likely argue that the quantity of drugs was minimal and that the firearms were for personal protection, attempting to downplay the severity of the charges. The case is currently assigned to a federal judge known for handing down tough sentences, suggesting the odds are stacked against the defendants.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the New Orleans Police Department. The ATF’s focus on illegal firearms conversions has increased in recent years, as these weapons pose a significant threat to law enforcement and the public. This bust is a clear signal that the feds are taking gun crime seriously in Louisiana and will prosecute those who illegally modify and possess dangerous weapons to the fullest extent of the law.

This case is a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and gun violence in New Orleans. While the city struggles with systemic issues that contribute to crime, federal agencies are working to disrupt the flow of drugs and firearms and hold those responsible accountable. The outcome of this case will send a message to others involved in similar criminal activity: the risks are high, and the consequences can be devastating.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice