GRETNA, LA – Lance Stevens, 27, of Gretna, Louisiana, is looking at a lengthy federal prison sentence after pleading guilty yesterday to a slew of charges stemming from two separate arrests in 2021. Stevens admitted to trafficking narcotics while illegally carrying firearms, a dangerous combination that landed him in the crosshairs of both the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to court documents, detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office busted Stevens not once, but twice, in 2021. Each time, the convicted felon was found with narcotics intended for sale and, crucially, firearms linked to his drug dealing operation. The charges against Stevens are significant: two counts of drug trafficking in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of those drug trafficking offenses in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A), and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). He’s facing the music before Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.
The specific drugs Stevens was peddling included marijuana and tramadol, landing him a potential five-year sentence and a $250,000 fine for Count 1. He also faces up to 20 years and a $1,000,000 fine for trafficking tapentadol (Count 4). However, the real stacking of charges comes from the firearms. For possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (Counts 2 and 5), Stevens is staring down a mandatory minimum of five years up to life on each count, to be served consecutively. Add to that the maximum ten-year sentence and $250,000 fine for each count of being a felon in possession (Counts 3 and 6), and Stevens could spend a significant portion of his life behind bars.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to cracking down on violent crime. This case is being touted as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” a broad initiative aimed at uniting law enforcement at all levels to reduce gun violence and make communities safer. The feds are pushing the narrative of fostering trust and strategic enforcement, but the bottom line is a repeat offender is facing serious consequences.
The investigation was a joint effort between the ATF and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, demonstrating a collaborative approach to tackling crime in the New Orleans area. Beyond the potential prison time, Stevens will also be required to pay a $100 special assessment fee for each of the six counts. This isn’t just about taking guns and drugs off the street; it’s about holding individuals accountable for putting the public at risk.
Stevens’ sentencing date has not yet been set, but legal experts predict a substantial prison term given the multiple charges and the mandatory minimums involved. This case serves as a stark warning to anyone involved in the illegal drug trade and possessing firearms while doing so: the feds are watching, and the penalties are severe. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, led by Duane A. Evans, is clearly sending a message that they will not tolerate such activity.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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