NEW ORLEANS, LA – Arthur Allen, a resident of Orleans Parish, is headed to federal prison for 90 months after being sentenced on February 8, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo. The case stemmed from a July 2021 traffic stop that uncovered a dangerous combination of drugs and firearms.
Allen, facing a four-count indictment, was convicted on Counts One, Two, and Four. He was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and (b)(1)(D). The indictment also secured convictions for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2), and being a felon in possession of a firearm (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)). Count Three of the indictment was dropped.
The bust unfolded when New Orleans Police officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle carrying Allen and two other individuals. Rather than cooperate, Allen bolted from the vehicle, leading officers on a brief pursuit before being apprehended. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed illegal narcotics and at least one firearm, linking Allen directly to the criminal activity.
Federal prosecutors highlighted that Allen’s actions weren’t isolated incidents, but part of a pattern of disregard for the law. As a convicted felon, Allen was already prohibited from possessing firearms. The discovery of a gun alongside the drugs significantly elevated the severity of the charges and ultimately, the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, speaking through the Department of Justice, framed the case as a victory for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement. PSN aims to curb violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and strategically targeting enforcement efforts. Evans praised the combined work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department in securing the conviction.
Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich, of the Violent Crime Unit, spearheaded the prosecution. In addition to the 90-month prison sentence, Allen will serve a three-year term of supervised release and pay a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. The case serves as a stark reminder that those who traffic drugs and illegally possess firearms in New Orleans will face serious federal consequences.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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