NEW ORLEANS, LA – Brandon Turner, 39, will spend the next decade and a half behind bars after receiving a 210-month federal sentence for a cocktail of drug and weapons violations. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan handed down the harsh penalty on August 26, 2025, following Turner’s guilty plea to charges stemming from a January 30, 2024, narcotics bust.
Turner was indicted on three counts: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances (violating Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C)); possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i)); and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8)). The sentencing breakdown sees 150 months for Counts One and Three, served concurrently, and an additional 60 months on Count Two, to be served consecutively – a clear message from the court about the severity of combining drug dealing with illegal firearms.
The bust at Turner’s apartment revealed a stash of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, alongside ammunition and a Glock, Model 43, nine-millimeter pistol. Crucially, authorities say Turner knew he was a convicted felon, making the firearm possession charge particularly damning. The feds weren’t messing around. This wasn’t a simple possession case; it was a convicted criminal actively fueling the streets with poison while illegally armed.
Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson didn’t mince words, framing the case as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN emphasizes collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement, coupled with community engagement. Simpson praised the joint effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in bringing Turner to justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Bell, of the Violent Crime Unit, skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid argument that secured the substantial sentence. Beyond the prison time, Turner will face four years of supervised release upon his eventual release and is responsible for a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. This isn’t just about locking someone up; it’s about attempting to rehabilitate, though the odds are stacked against that in cases like these.
This conviction underscores the federal government’s commitment to tackling both the drug epidemic and the flow of illegal firearms in New Orleans. While one dealer off the streets isn’t a cure-all, it’s a clear signal that those who choose to peddle drugs and wield weapons illegally will face serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to clean up the streets of New Orleans.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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