Lyndell Mims, a 34-year-old resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on January 30, 2025, by United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier. Mims had previously pleaded guilty to charges of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of firearms. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Court records indicate that officers from the New Orleans Police Department stopped Mims in his vehicle after detecting a strong odor of marijuana. Upon obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle, officers discovered three firearms: a Diamondback Firearms Model DB15, 5.56-millimeter pistol, a Glock Model 22, and another gun found in the purse of his female passenger. It was then revealed that Mims was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms.
In addition to the firearms, officers uncovered various drugs and three digital scales inside the vehicle. The drugs included significant quantities of methamphetamine; mixtures containing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl; psilocyn; marijuana packaged in over 100 smaller bags; Tramadol pills; Buprenorphine/suboxone packets; Tapentadol pills; oxycodone pills; and several other pills containing fentanyl.
Judge Barbier sentenced Mims to 84 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and imposed a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites law enforcement at all levels with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while enhancing neighborhood safety. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to reduce violent crime under PSN's core principles: fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation alongside the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller serves as Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator for this prosecution.