Leroy Smith, Fentanyl Trafficking, Louisiana 2019
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Firearms Charges
NEW ORLEANS - Leroy Smith, age 35, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue and 100 grams or more of heroin, as well as one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
According to court records, Smith conspired with his codefendant, Carl J. Hurst, and others, to order kilograms of acetylfentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, from a Chinese manufacturer.
Smith admitted that he sold the acetylfentanyl as 'heroin.' The government's evidence in this case includes multiple undercover purchases of heroin and acetylfentanyl from Smith, wiretaps on Smith's phones, drug seizures, and eyewitness testimony.
On May 31, 2019, codefendant Hurst also pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell acetylfentanyl and heroin.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle will sentence Smith on September 25, 2019.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
Smith is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life, a possible fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release upon his release from prison.
On the firearms charge, Smith is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years' imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $250,000, and no more than five years of supervised release upon his release from prison.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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