Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced on Friday, November 6, 2020, that DEREK NOLAN, a/k/a “Pop,” age 25, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was charged in a ten-count indictment by a federal grand jury.  In Count 1, NOLAN is charged with a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin; 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine; and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide, that is fentanyl in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C) and § 846.  If convicted for the heroin and methamphetamine violations, NOLAN faces a term of imprisonment  with mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000, a period of supervised release of at least 4 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  For the fentanyl offense, if convicted, NOLAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine up to $1,000,000.00, a period of supervised release of at least 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

In Counts 2 and 3, NOLAN is charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide, that is fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  If convicted, NOLAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, a period of supervised release of at least 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

In Counts 4 and 5, NOLAN is charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  If convicted, NOLAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, a period of supervised release of at least 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

In Counts 6 and 8, NOLAN is charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  If convicted, NOLAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, a period of supervised release of at least 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

In Counts 7 and 11, NOLAN is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  If convicted, NOLAN faces a consecutive mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release up to 5 years and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

In Count 9, NOLAN is charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and (b)(1)(C). If convicted for the methamphetamine violation, NOLAN faces a term of imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000 fine, a period of supervised release of at least 4 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  For the heroin offense, if convicted, NOLAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine up to $1,000,000.00, a period of supervised release of at least 3 years supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

In Count 10, NOLAN is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). If convicted, NOLAN faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release up to 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00 for each charge.

U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/project-guardian.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.