Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 17, 2023, KENDALL THEARD, age 26, resident of Orleans Parish, pled guilty to one count of a four-count indictment for drug violations. Count 1 charges THEARD with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. THEARD’s sentencing is set for September 6, 2023.

In Count 1 of the indictment, THEARD is charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D). THEARD faces a maximum sentence of 5 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of at least 2 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Additionally, in Count 1, THEARD is charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). THEARD faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, a period of at least 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

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. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit.