Harold Declouet, Gun & Drug Trafficking, Louisiana 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - A New Orleans man has pleaded guilty to violating federal gun control and controlled substances acts. Harold Declouet, age 22, was arrested in May of 2022 with cocaine base, marijuana, tramadol pills, over $1,000 in cash, and a Glock Model 19 handgun loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition.

According to court documents, Declouet made two sales of cocaine base to a confidential informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in February of 2022. He pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, marijuana, and tramadol, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), 841(b)(1)(D), and 841(b)(2); and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

With respect to his convictions for distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Declouet faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a minimum of three years of supervised release on each count. With respect to his conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Declouet faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison, which is to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.

Each count also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

On May 26, 2021, the violent crime reduction strategy was launched, strengthening PSN based on the following core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.

Declouet pleaded guilty on March 6, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Jane T. Milazzo. According to court documents, two sales of cocaine base were made by Declouet to a confidential informant in February of 2022. A few months later, in May of 2022, Declouet was arrested with cocaine base, marijuana, tramadol pills, over $1,000 in cash, and a Glock Model 19 handgun loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-man-pleads-guilty-violating-federal-gun-control-and-controlled-substances