New Orleans, LA – In a major crackdown, federal authorities have brought down two local men accused of peddling fentanyl and methamphetamine, with one of them boasting a machinegun. Joseph Miller, 21, and Kenneth Turner, 36, both residents of New Orleans, face a slew of charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute the deadly substances.
According to court documents, Miller and Turner were hit with an eight-count indictment on April 19, 2024, for violating the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts. The charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Both men are also accused of possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison. Miller faces additional charges for five separate distributions of various quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as possession of a machinegun.
Miller’s charges carry penalties ranging from 10 to 40 years in prison, depending on the count, with fines reaching up to $10 million. Turner, if convicted, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, with fines reaching up to $10 million.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with Assistant United States Attorney David Berman heading the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans emphasized that the indictment is merely a charge, and the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is set to proceed in federal court, with the two men facing a potentially lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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