NEW ORLEANS, LA – Brandon Johnson, aka Brandon Smith, 32, of Jefferson Parish, has confessed to a litany of federal crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Johnson pled guilty on January 18th before U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to six counts, bringing him one step closer to a lengthy prison sentence. The case, a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, paints a picture of a repeat offender actively engaged in the city’s criminal underbelly.
The initial bust came on February 21, 2021, when Jefferson Parish deputies pulled Johnson over for a routine traffic stop. The stop quickly escalated after deputies spotted marijuana in the vehicle. A search of Johnson and his car revealed additional drugs and, crucially, a firearm, leading to his immediate arrest. But that wasn’t the end of it. While out on bond, detectives observed Johnson allegedly conducting open-air drug transactions, leading to a second arrest and a more comprehensive search.
This second search turned up a disturbing cache of illegal goods: methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana. Authorities also seized a handgun equipped with a Glock switch – a device that transforms a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machinegun. Further investigation of Johnson’s vehicles and cell phones revealed photos depicting more Glock switches, drugs, firearms, and large sums of cash. The evidence clearly demonstrated a pattern of criminal activity and a brazen disregard for the law.
Specifically, Johnson admitted guilt to Count 1, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 924(c)), a charge carrying a mandatory minimum of five years, potentially escalating to life in prison, plus a fine of up to $250,000. He also pled guilty to Count 2 and Count 5, both charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition (Title 18 USC § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8)), each carrying up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Count 6, the charge of illegal possession of a machinegun (Title 18 USC § 922(o)), carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine.
The drug charges are equally severe. Counts 3 and 7, involving possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana (Title 21 USC § 841), each threaten up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and a lengthy term of supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu Jr. of the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case, and will be seeking consecutive sentences on the firearm charges. In addition to potential jail time and fines, Johnson faces a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count.
The sentencing is scheduled for April 25th. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at coordinating law enforcement efforts and reducing violent crime in communities across the country. While PSN initiatives often tout community involvement, the reality on the ground in New Orleans remains grim, with repeat offenders like Johnson continuing to exploit vulnerabilities in the system. The ATF and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office are hoping this conviction will send a message, but whether it will be enough to stem the tide of gun and drug violence remains to be seen.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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