A New Orleans man has pled guilty to charges related to narcotics and firearms offenses. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Carlos Jones, 32, entered his plea on February 5, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance.
Court documents reveal that Jones and co-defendant Donte Edwards were indicted on 11 counts for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act in connection with narcotics trafficking and weapons offenses from January through June 2022 in New Orleans. Specifically, Jones conspired with Edwards to distribute cocaine base within the city's 7th Ward neighborhood during this period.
Jones admitted guilt to four counts of the indictment: conspiracy to distribute controlled substances (crack), possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
For each narcotics charge, Jones could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release. The firearm possession charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could lead to life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years of supervised release. For being a felon in possession of a firearm, he faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Additionally, Jones is required to pay a $400 mandatory special assessment fee. His sentencing is scheduled for April 7, 2025. Edwards had previously pled guilty and was sentenced.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and setting strategic enforcement priorities. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives alongside the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy from the Violent Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.