Tyrique Richards, Cocaine and Marijuana Possession, Louisiana 2024

Feds Indict Westbank Man on Drug and Gun Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LA - In a move aimed at curbing the flow of illicit substances, federal authorities have indicted a 27-year-old Westbank man on charges of cocaine and marijuana possession.

Tyrique Richards, of Violet, La., faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least three (3) years of supervised release if convicted of possession with intent to distribute.

The indictment alleges that on February 27, 2024, Richards possessed cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute, a handgun in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense, and a weight scale.

Additionally, Richards faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of life imprisonment, which must be served consecutively with any other count, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five (5) years of supervised release if convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Richards also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $200.00.

According to U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, the indictment is merely a charge, and Richards' guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter, which is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Rayburn of the Violent Crime Unit.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/westbank-man-indicted-federal-drug-and-gun-violations