Danieel Mutin, Fentanyl Possession with Intent to Distribute, Louisiana 2023

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Two New Orleans residents are facing serious federal charges following an indictment announced Friday, stemming from a joint investigation by the ATF and the New Orleans Police Department. Duane A. Evans, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, revealed that 18-year-old DANIEEL MUTIN and 21-year-old JUAN MATTHEWS were named in a five-count indictment, alleging involvement in drug and weapons trafficking.

MUTIN is accused of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, a charge that carries a potential 20-year prison sentence, a $1,000,000 fine, and a minimum of three years of supervised release. Adding to the severity, he’s also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a conviction that could add a mandatory minimum of five years – and up to life – to his sentence, running consecutively to any other penalties. The feds aren’t messing around with fentanyl, and tying a gun to the operation only escalates the potential consequences.

MATTHEWS faces an equally daunting legal battle. He’s charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and tapentadol, again with a potential 20-year sentence and a $1,000,000 fine. Like Mutin, he’s also hit with the firearm-related charge linked to drug trafficking, carrying the same steep mandatory minimum. But the charges don’t stop there. MATTHEWS is also accused of possessing a machinegun – a violation of federal law that could land him another 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. A machinegun in the Crescent City? That’s a recipe for disaster.

The indictment lays out a grim picture of illicit activity within New Orleans. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit. While U.S. Attorney Evans was quick to state the indictment is merely an accusation and guilt must be proven, the sheer volume of charges and potential sentencing guidelines suggest authorities believe they have a strong case. Each count against MATTHEWS also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee – a small detail, but one that underscores the financial burden of criminal activity.

This operation is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing enforcement, and measuring results. But for residents living in impacted neighborhoods, programs and press releases are cold comfort when the streets remain dangerous.

The ATF and NOPD are maintaining a tight-lipped stance regarding specific details of the investigation. The focus now shifts to the courtroom, where MUTIN and MATTHEWS will have the opportunity to defend themselves against these serious federal allegations. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the proceedings as they unfold, bringing you the unvarnished truth from the streets of New Orleans.

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