NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – In a shocking turn of events, Romero Morris, a 34-year-old resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, has been charged with several violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans on August 18, 2023.
According to the indictment, Morris distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute various drugs on multiple dates, including December 19, 2018, January 17, 2019, April 1, 2019, March 25, 2022, January 26, 2023, February 8, 2023, and February 14, 2023. He also illegally possessed firearms as a convicted felon and, in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, on several of these dates.
The indictment charges Morris with the distribution of different drugs, including cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, in Counts 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8. Each of these counts carries a sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and not less than three years of supervised release.
Morris is also charged with possession with the intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl, and quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine, in Counts 4 and 9. For the fentanyl, he will face a minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, and at least 4 years of supervised release. For the cocaine and methamphetamine, he will face a sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and not less than three years of supervised release.
In addition to the drug charges, Morris is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in Counts 5 and 10. He faces a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and not more than three years of supervised release.
Furthermore, Morris is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in Counts 6 and 11. He faces a sentence of not less than 5 years and not more than life in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and not more than five years of supervised release. Any sentence of imprisonment imposed must be served consecutively to any other sentence he will be serving.
Morris faces payment of a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee for each of the charged counts. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana State Police, the State of Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. of the Narcotics Unit.
Related Federal Cases
- Derrick Estes, Drug and Weapons Violations, Louisiana 2021 · Idaho
- Bradley Bright, Possessing Gun in Furtherance of Drug Dealing, Louisiana 2021 · Texas
- Shelvon Tyrone Williams, Firearms and Marijuana Trafficking, Oklahoma 2021 · Oklahoma
- Ashonti Hall, Gun in Furtherance of Drug Dealing, Louisiana 2021 · Texas
- Reynaud Kendrell Variste, Heroin Trafficking, Louisiana 2022 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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