Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug Offenses
NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that Juan Matthews, 22, of New Orleans, pled guilty on March 13, to Counts 3 through 5 of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and tapentadol, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) (Count 3); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 924(C)(1)(a)(i) (Count 4); and possession of a machine gun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 922(o) and 924(a)(2) (Count 5).
As to Count 3, Matthews faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine and at least three years of supervised release. As to Count 4, Matthews faces between five years up to life imprisonment, which must run consecutive to any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine and up to five years of supervised release. As to Count 5, Matthews faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. As to each charged count, Matthews also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. Matthews is set for sentencing on June 26.
According to court documents, on May 18, 2023, members of the New Orleans Police Department observed a black Audi SUV matching the description of a vehicle used in a shooting. Officers pursued the SUV and observed three black males, including Matthews abandon the SUV and flee, after which officers successfully apprehended Matthews. During the pursuit of Matthews, officers saw him throw down a Glock with a machinegun conversion device, making it, functionally, a machine gun. Upon apprehension, Matthews was in possession of marijuana, tapentadol and drug paraphernalia.
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 of Justice 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.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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