NEW ORLEANS – Nathan Ballansaw III, a 69-year-old New Orleans man, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin, as well as firearms-related charges.
Ballansaw pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine base, and heroin in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Ballansaw conspired to sell cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin between September 12, 2015, and May 4, 2017. In furtherance of that drug-trafficking conspiracy, he possessed a Smith and Wesson Model 638-2 .38 caliber revolver on March 28, 2017.
On the drug conspiracy, Ballansaw faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. On the firearm charge, Ballansaw faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years of imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Jonathan L. Shih are in charge of the prosecution.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations.
Ballansaw’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the organized crime network that has plagued the city of New Orleans. The investigation and prosecution of Ballansaw demonstrate the commitment of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to dismantling these organizations and bringing perpetrators to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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