NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Noel CHENEAU, 56, of New Orleans, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced for his role in a heroin trafficking operation stretching from Houston, Texas. U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe handed down the 120-month sentence on April 25, 2024, following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The case unraveled thanks to court-authorized wire intercepts. Federal agents were listening in on conversations involving individuals transporting significant amounts of narcotics between Houston and New Orleans. The intercepts revealed discussions about supplying CHENEAU with heroin, prompting investigators to bring him in for questioning.
According to court records, CHENEAU didn’t bother denying his involvement. He confessed that the intercepted calls were, in fact, about drug trafficking. He further admitted his operation involved more than 100 grams of heroin – a quantity that carries a hefty mandatory minimum sentence. But this wasn’t CHENEAU’s first rodeo with federal drug laws.
Prosecutors revealed a prior federal conviction from the Southern District of Texas. CHENEAU had previously been found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B) and 846. That previous conviction triggered recidivist enhancement provisions, meaning a harsher penalty for this latest offense. The feds weren’t letting a repeat offender off easy.
In addition to the 10 years in prison, Judge Ashe ordered eight years of supervised release upon CHENEAU’s eventual release. He was also slapped with a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel, prosecuted the case, bringing a solid conclusion to the DEA and FBI’s investigation.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal crime cases in Louisiana and beyond, exposing the underbelly of criminal activity and holding offenders accountable. This case serves as a stark reminder that trafficking large quantities of narcotics will result in significant federal prison time, especially for those with prior convictions.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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