Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on September 1, 2022, DEREK NOLAN, a/k/a “Pop,” age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty as charged to an eleven-count Superseding Bill of Information.

In Count 1, NOLAN is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C); all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.

In Counts 2 and 3, NOLAN is charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

In Counts 4 and 5, NOLAN is charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

In Counts 6, 8, and 9, NOLAN is charged with distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, and distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

In Count 7, NOLAN is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, that is, distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

In Count 10, NOLAN is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

In Count 11, NOLAN is charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offense, that is, conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

As to Counts 1 through 6, 8, and 9 of the Superseding Bill of Information, NOLAN faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment, and a fine up to $1,000,000.00.

As to Counts 7 and 11 of the Superseding Bill of Information, NOLAN faces a mandatory minimum, consecutive, sentence of 5 years imprisonment, and a maximum sentence up to life imprisonment, and a fine up to $250,000.00.

As to Count 10 of the Superseding Bill of Information, NOLAN faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, and a fine up to $250,000.00.

NOLAN will be placed on a period of supervised release for each count following his term of imprisonment. As it relates to Counts 1 through 6, 8, and 9 of the Superseding Bill of Information, NOLAN will be placed on a term of supervised release after imprisonment for a period of at least 3 years. As it relates to Counts 7 and 11 of the Superseding Bill of Information, NOLAN will be placed on a term of supervised release after imprisonment for a period up to 5 years. And, as it relates to Count 10 of the Superseding Bill of Information, NOLAN will be placed on a term of supervised release after imprisonment for a period up to 3 years.

A mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00, per count, will also be imposed by the Court.

United States District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier will sentence NOLAN on December 8, 2022.

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.

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.