New Orleans Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking and Possessing a Machine Gun
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Renard Santiago, age 19, pleaded guilty on February 18, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(D), and 846; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
According to court documents, Santiago was wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department for an armed robbery and a separate shooting. During the course of the investigation into his whereabouts, law enforcement officers observed stories on Santiago’s Instagram account showing Santiago in possession of a handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device, posing with large amounts of cash, and advertising the sale of marijuana.
The next day, officers executed a search warrant at Santiago’s residence. Santiago hid in the attic for four hours before he was finally forced out of the house. Inside the attic, officers found Santiago’s handgun, with the machinegun conversion device still attached, a distributable quantity of marijuana, and over $400 in cash.
Renard Santiago, 19, was found guilty of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a machinegun.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Santiago will serve 15 years in prison, a term of supervised release of at least two years and up to life, and faces a maximum $250,000 fine and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.
Renard Santiago, New Orleans, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will face a term of supervised release of at least two years and up to life, in addition to a maximum fine of $250,000 and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Related Federal Cases
- Darrell Dewayne Waller, Drug Trafficking, Louisiana 2020 · Texas
- Brandon Khesahn Cooper, Firearms and Drug Trafficking, Louisiana 2021 · Texas
- Brent Thomas Chavers, Firearms and Drug Trafficking, Louisiana 2021 · Texas
- Derrick Estes, Drug and Weapons Violations, Louisiana 2021 · Idaho
- Santiago Delfierro Anguiano, Attempting to Obtain Contraband in Prison, Louisiana 2020 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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