U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced that Donte Edwards, a 34-year-old resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to 27 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance on January 15, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Edwards and his co-defendant, Carlos Jones, faced an 11-count indictment for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act related to narcotics trafficking and weapons offenses in New Orleans from January through June 2022. Edwards pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (crack) under 21 U.S.C. § 846 and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). His previous felony convictions prohibit him from possessing firearms.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites law enforcement at all levels with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to strengthen PSN focusing on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the New Orleans Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy from the Violent Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.