A New Orleans resident, Caleb Punch, has been sentenced to 180 months in prison following his guilty plea to multiple charges related to drug and firearm offenses. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans on February 4, 2025.
Punch, aged 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter on January 30, 2025. He faced one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, one count of possession of firearms during a drug trafficking offense, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Judge Vitter imposed a sentence of 120 months for the drug distribution charge and an additional consecutive 60 months for the firearms charge. Punch will also serve four years of supervised release after completing his prison term and must pay a $300 mandatory special assessment fee.
The indictment revealed that authorities discovered significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, LSD, and firearms during searches at Punch's residence. The weapons included a .22 caliber Bearman Model CL22L and a nine-millimeter Smith and Wesson Model MP9. Due to a prior felony conviction, Punch is prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Evans commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot from the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case.